Apple denies accusations of hacking Russians’ iPhones

Apple denies accusations of hacking Russians’ iPhones. Apple has denied allegations made by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) that it cooperated with United States (US) authorities to spy on Russian iPhone users.

FSB claimed to have uncovered an operation by the US National Security Agency (NSA) that hacked thousands of iPhones using sophisticated surveillance software.

According to the FSB, the espionage campaign targeted devices of former Soviet Union members and foreign diplomats in Russia, including individuals from Israel, China, and NATO.

FSB alleged a “close cooperation” between Apple and the NSA, suggesting the tech giant facilitated monitoring activities.

Apple swiftly refuted these claims, stating that it has never collaborated with any government to insert backdoors into its products. The company firmly asserted its commitment to user privacy.

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Russian officials revealed that the plot was uncovered through a joint effort between FSB officers and the Federal Guards Service (FSO), a powerful agency responsible for the Kremlin’s security and formerly known as the KGB’s Ninth Directorate. Russia, known for its sophisticated domestic surveillance structure, has long questioned the security of U.S. technology. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed that all officials in the presidential administration were aware that gadgets such as iPhones were “absolutely transparent.”

Earlier this year, the Kremlin reportedly instructed officials involved in preparations for Russia’s 2024 presidential election to cease using Apple iPhones due to concerns about their vulnerability to Western intelligence agencies, as reported by Kommersant newspaper.