Google and Apple warn users in Uzbekistan about potential hacker attacks

According to a report by Reuters, the two technology giants began sending mass security alerts to their users last week, warning of what they described as a serious hacking threat targeting personal devices and online accounts.

Google identified Kazakhstan as one of the countries facing an especially high risk of cyberattacks, noting that it is among the states where the use of Intellexa’s spyware has previously been detected. The company did not publicly provide further technical details about the attacks.

Meanwhile, Apple said it started distributing warning notifications on 2 December. The corporation offered limited information about the nature of the attacks and declined to disclose how many users may have been affected or who was behind the cyber intrusion. Apple only confirmed that it has so far notified users in more than 150 countries worldwide.

According to Apple’s statement, the attacks involve the use of spyware produced by Intellexa. The company said that hundreds of user accounts across multiple countries have been targeted, including Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, and Tajikistan.