Russia Claims US Spied on Thousands of iPhones

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Facts

  • Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said Thursday it uncovered a US plot to spy on the contents of thousands of Apple-made phones, further claiming that the phone giant purposefully allowed back-door vulnerabilities on its devices that facilitated the alleged snooping operation.1
  • The successor to the Soviet-era KGB, with the help of the Russian Federal Protective Service (FSO), said it found 'anomalies characteristic only of Apple cell phone users and caused by previously unknown malicious software exploiting vulnerabilities in the manufacturer’s software.'2
  • It added that thousands of phones registered to Russians were infected, in addition to devices registered to foreign diplomats from NATO member countries, ex-Soviet states, as well as from Israel, Syria, and China.3
  • The FSB alleged the US National Security Agency (NSA) was responsible, also accusing Apple of knowingly violating its privacy policy. It stated that this 'demonstrates close cooperation between Apple and the [US] national intelligence community.'2
  • The allegations come after the Kremlin earlier this year instructed local politicians not to use Apple devices in the run-up to Russia's 2024 elections over fears of spying from Western intelligence agencies.1
  • Neither the NSA nor Apple have commented on the allegations.1

Sources: 1Us news & world report, 2Tass and 3Reuters.

Narratives

  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by RT. This finding reveals that not only is the US spying on Russians but also so-called allies from NATO member countries, among others. It also reveals that Apple is willfully violating its privacy policy agreements. Despite Western lies and empty gestures about freedom and privacy, it turns out the Kremlin was right to be skeptical of Apple and order its officials not to use its iPhones.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Wired. Regardless of whether these allegations hold merit, all intelligence agencies engage in sophisticated cyber-spying operations. Just last month, the US filed charges against a Russian spying ring. Enemy governments shouldn't be surprised when their foreign counterparts seek to collect intelligence on their regime, especially when that regime has violated international law by invading a sovereign nation unprovoked.