Global spyware alerts issued by Google, Apple

Google and Apple have recently released global alerts warning users who may have been subjected to state-backed spyware intrusions, Cybernews reports.

Hundreds of individuals in Angola, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and other countries have been warned by Google regarding targeting conducted by Intellexa spyware. Despite being sanctioned by the U.S. government, Intellexa has continuously thrived due to the zero-day exploits it obtained or developed, according to Google, whose Threat Analysis Group has linked multiple zero-day bugs over the years to the spyware firm.

On the other hand, Apple has reported sending surveillance notices to users across more than 150 countries. More details regarding the spyware activity and its perpetrator, as well as the number of affected individuals, were not provided. Attacks involving spyware have usually been aimed at activists, journalists, politicians, and other high-profile individuals.