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If Apple sends you a push notification alerting you to a spyware attack, take it seriously

Published

41 minutes ago

August 13, 2026

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Apple has sent out a new batch of notifications to customers who it suspects have been targeted with spyware capable of hacking into their devices. The tech giant sends out these notifications on occasion to alert its customers that their iPhones, iPads, or Macs might have been compromised with spyware typically used by governments.

Apple told TechCrunch that it sent out the notifications on Thursday to users targeted in 110 countries. Apple says to date it has notified customers in over 150 countries, giving some context to how far government-used spyware has spread around the world.

In a new support article on its website, Apple says it will notify users directly on their iPhone lock screen with a push notification that urges the person to take action. Apple told TechCrunch that it’s updated the user experience, making it easier for recipients to access important information on what to do next.

When received, a threat notification will read: “Apple detected a mercenary spyware attack targeted at your iPhone. There are actions you can take now to protect your data and device.”

Apple also sends notifications by email and to users when they log-in to their account.

John Scott-Railton, a senior researcher at digital research group Citizen Lab, first highlighted the latest batch of spyware notifications in a thread on X.

If you receive a notification like this, take it seriously. We’ve explained before what happens when someone gets a notification saying they’ve been targeted. It may not mean that you have been successfully hacked, but you should still take immediate steps to protect your device and data.

The push notification also opens up advice on who to reach out to for help. You will also be advised to switch on Lockdown Mode, a security feature that makes it far more difficult for spyware attacks to succeed. According to Apple, it has yet to see a case where someone’s device was hacked while Lockdown Mode was enabled.

Spyware attacks are generally rare, but the proliferation of the surveillance technology in recent years has allowed them to be abused by governments and deployed against critics, including members of civil society.

Citizen Lab’s Scott-Railton told TechCrunch that these new push notifications are a “big improvement” in urging people to seek help to secure their devices since Apple debuted its spyware alerts in 2021.

“Notifications create a critical signal that a community is being targeted. People get an alert, and then some of them reach out and seek help. Often this kicks off an investigation that reveals many, many more cases,” said Scott-Railton.

Citing the ongoing scandal in Poland over the former government’s use of spyware against its rivals, Scott-Railton said that without Apple’s notifications, “that entire massive scandal about spyware abuse in the Polish election wouldn’t have been uncovered.”

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Related Topics:alerting Apple attack notification Push sends spyware

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Osun election: 1.91 million PVCs collected – INEC

Published

22 minutes ago

August 13, 2026

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The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, says about 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards have been collected by registered voters in Osun State ahead of August 15, 2026 governorship election in the state.

A statement by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, on Thursday said the figure represents 81.50 per cent of the 2,339,233 registered voters in the state, leaving 426,842 PVCs, representing 18.50 per cent, uncollected.

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Business

Deep offshore incentive order will accelerate investment, production growth — NNPC

Published

37 minutes ago

August 13, 2026

Preport

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has applauded the Federal Government’s signing of the Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Projects Incentives (Tax Remission) Order, 2026, describing it as a landmark reform that will enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness for deep offshore investment.

President Bola Tinubu approved the order on Tuesday as part of efforts to attract large-scale investments into Nigeria’s deep offshore oil and gas sector.

In a statement issued on Thursday, NNPC said the new order establishes a transparent, predictable, and globally competitive fiscal framework for qualifying greenfield deep-offshore developments.

The company said the framework would provide the certainty required to unlock long-term capital, accelerate Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) and maximise value from Nigeria’s offshore resources.

The order is expected to support Nigeria’s ambition of increasing crude oil production to 3 million barrels per day (MMbopd) by 2030.

Framework to unlock offshore investments

President Tinubu, while announcing the approval on Tuesday, said the new incentive framework could unlock up to $50 billion in deep offshore investments, beginning with the approximately $10 billion Bonga South West project.

“I have signed the Deep Offshore Oil and Gas Projects Incentives (Tax Remission) Order, 2026, creating a clear and predictable framework capable of unlocking up to $50 billion in deep offshore investment, beginning with the approximately $10 billion Bonga South West project,” Mr Tinubu said.

The policy aims to make previously stalled offshore projects commercially viable by providing investors with tax incentives and greater certainty regarding the fiscal terms governing their investments.

According to NNPC, the framework is expected to reinforce Nigeria’s position as an attractive destination for deep-offshore oil and gas development and unlock more than $50 billion in new investment.

It said the expected investments include major projects such as Bonga South West, Zabazaba and Owowo Deep Offshore developments.

Bonga South West, which was approved in March 2026, is expected to be the first Final Investment Decision on a Nigerian deepwater Production Sharing Contract asset since 2008.

‘Transformative reform’

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Bashir Ojulari, described the order as one of the most significant policy interventions in Nigeria’s upstream sector in recent years.

“This is a transformative reform that sends a strong signal to global investors that Nigeria is committed to providing a stable, competitive and investment-friendly environment for deep offshore development,” Mr Ojulari said.

“Fiscal certainty is a critical driver of investment decisions, and this framework provides the additional clarity the industry has long sought,” he added.

Mr Ojulari said the order aligns with NNPC’s strategy of protecting existing production, accelerating near-term growth and attracting new investments into high-value assets.

“For NNPC Ltd., the Order aligns directly with our strategy of protecting our existing production base, accelerating near-term growth, and attracting new investment into high-value assets,” he said.

He said the reform strengthens the company’s confidence in achieving its 3 MMbopd production ambition while creating greater value for its shareholders and the Nigerian economy.

Mr Ojulari said recent reforms across Nigeria’s petroleum sector had already stimulated more than $34 billion in new investment commitments.

READ ALSO: NNPC posts ₦535 billion profit, records 1.72 million barrels daily oil output in June

He said the Deep Offshore Incentives Order would build on the momentum by enabling timely FIDs on strategic offshore developments.

The NNPC chief executive commended President Tinubu for his commitment to creating an enabling environment for investment and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s energy sector through a series of presidential executive orders.

The company said the latest reform reinforces its commitment to driving sustainable production growth, attracting responsible investment, strengthening Nigeria’s energy security and delivering long-term value to the Federation.