Apple joins CERT-In probe in iPhone snooping case

Apple has joined the CERT-In in connection with the probe into allegations of attempts to hack the iPhones of some Opposition leaders. The controversy surfaced after some of the leaders who use Apple phones received warnings of “state-sponsored attacks” on their devices from the company.

The government, meanwhile, said the investigation is focused on “determining if the Apple products can be trusted to protect the privacy of the consumers”.

Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar said that a notice had been sent to Apple seeking an explanation on the alert sent to political leaders and a few media persons, warning them of “state-sponsored attackers who are remotely trying to compromise” their iPhones.

“The government is determined to get to the bottom of this. Our investigation is focused on determining if the Apple products are secure and safe and can be trusted to protect the privacy of the consumers,” Chandrasekhar told a news source. “If Apple devices are safe… we want to know what those ‘threat notification messages’ were. We have asked them to explain. If their devices are secure and safe, they should be transparent and disclose the vulnerabilities to their consumers and the government,” the minister said.

As per the minister, Apple should join the investigation. “Since the threat notifications have gone to 150 countries, it’s important that Apple joins the investigation and explain honestly and transparently,” he added.  

According to a news source, Union IT Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw said that an investigation has been started by the CERT-In. As per sources, an Apple team has joined the investigation.

Several political leaders, mainly from the Opposition, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, TMC’s Mahua Moitra and AAP’s Raghav Chadha, as well as a few journalists, claimed to have received a notification from Apple about “state-sponsored attackers” remotely trying to compromise their iPhones. While Opposition MPs in the IT Standing Committee have sought a meeting of the panel to discuss the issue, CPIM MP John Brittas has written to the committee chairman Pratap Rao Jadhav, seeking a meeting.  However, BJP’s Nishikant Dubey, who is a member of the panel, pointed out that the committee does not discuss “day-to-day issues”.

The CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team) had identified certain vulnerabilities in iPhone’s operating system iOS and issued a formal advisory on October 27, just ahead of Apple launching its new products.