Political friction has been highlighted in India recently, following several leading figures in the Opposition receiving messages from Apple, warning that they could be targeted by "state-sponsored attackers." Among those who have shared these warnings are prominent politicians such as Shashi Tharoor of the Congress, Mahua Moitra and Priyanka Chaturvedi of the Trinamool Congress, and Raghav Chadha of the AAP. The implications of this incident are quite serious and could involve accusations of government snooping in political affairs. 

Apple and Government Response 

Amid rising controversy, Apple clarified that they did not attribute these threat notifications to any specific state-sponsored attacker and reminded that these notifications could well be false alarms. Moreover, Apple revealed that it had released an international advisory relating to such warnings, acknowledging advisories were issued across 150 countries.

Meanwhile, the government has initiated an inquiry into claims made by Opposition Parliament Members alleging that state-backed cyber attackers have targeted their iPhones to extract sensitive information. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on X, emphasizing the government's intent to protect citizens' privacy and security. 

"The government is committed to ensuring everyone's privacy and security. We will leave no stone unturned to ascertain the veracity of these alarm notifications," said the minister in his post. Vaishnaw further added that Apple Inc. has been called upon to lend its expertise to the ongoing investigation and help uncover facts associated with the purported state-bankrolled cyber-attacks. 

The minister confirmed that the investigation would be led by India's primary tech watchdog, Cert-In. 

In an ensuing briefing held in Bhopal, Vaishnaw countered the Opposition, stating critics were resorting to "distraction politics" due to their inability to handle India's growth under the Prime Minister's leadership. He highlighted that Apple had relayed a similar advisory in 150 countries around the globe. 

In his post, Vaishnaw underscored Apple's assurance about encrypted Apple IDs on their devices, making it significantly tough to access or identify without user consent. This encryption guarantees the shielding of the user's Apple ID, reinforcing its privacy and protection status. 

"The alarming implications thrown by a few parliament members along with others on media platforms regarding the notification they've received from Apple raises concerns. According to media broadcasts, notifications are hinting at 'state-sponsored attacks' on their devices. However, Apple's details surrounding the matter seem ambiguous and lack specificity," remarked the minister. 

He also pointed out that Apple had stated these alarm notifications might be based on 'incomplete or imperfect' information and potentially result from false alerts with some attacks going undetected. 

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Minister of State for IT, posted on X, thinking about Apple's verdict on the security of their devices amidst a wave of "threat notifications" reported by individuals globally, including MPs and political figures. He further questioned why these alerts were being distributed to people in over 150 countries. 

"Apple has always championed their products by emphasizing their dedication to privacy. We, as the government, are obliged and committed to safeguarding our citizen's privacy, and we adhere to this promise with utmost seriousness," expressed Chandrasekhar. 

Opposition Leaders React 

Counterclaims, mainly from the Opposition group, suggest a different reality. Representatives allege that the government has attempted to intrude into their private communication through these cyberattacks. Mahua Moitra, a Trinamool MP, outlined how the warnings had been received not only by her but also by her colleagues from different parties. She took to social media, criticizing the government's alleged invasion of privacy.

Similarly, Priyanka Chaturvedi voiced her concerns, asking if the Home Ministry would take action to investigate the source of these threats. Her sentiments were echoed by several other politicians who received the same alert. 

It’s not just Moitra and Chaturvedi voicing their concerns; other political leaders have also taken a stand against these alerts. Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Shashi Tharoor tweeted their disapproval, as did Rahul Gandhi, who proclaimed at a news conference that he wasn't afraid 

The voices didn't stop there. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi also confirmed receiving an Apple threat notification and expressed concern over potential targeting. Similarly, Akhilesh Yadav highlighted how this alleged breach of privacy was a blow to democracy and must be thoroughly investigated. 

Raghav Chadha pointed out the parallels between this incident and the Pegasus spyware scandal, a previous instance where critics of the ruling party were reportedly targeted. Acknowledging that he was not the only victim, he urged the public to take notice of this threat, not just as an attack on individuals or political entities, but as an assault on the democratic values of the nation.  

What are the Apple Threat Messages Received by Opposition Leaders?

Apple threat notifications are alerts designed to warn users who may be targeted by potential state-sponsored attackers. These alerts are sent via iMessage to individuals who may be targeted due to their professional or personal standing. These alerts have been sent to users in nearly 150 countries. Apple has warned users about the possibility of false alarms and the complexity of detecting such threats. 

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