NEW DELHI: Amid the controversy that has erupted involving opposition leaders claiming that the Indian government is snooping on them, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Indian government has commissioned a probe into possible breach of security or attack on Apple iPhones of MPs or individuals in India.
He said, โI want to very clearly state that the government is very concerned about the incident and we will go into the depths of the case. We have already ordered an investigation in this case.โ
The IT Minister criticised opposition leaders, referring to them as โcompulsive criticsโ and stating, โWe have some โcompulsive criticsโ in this country who have a habit of criticising (the government). They canโt stand witness to the development of the country.โ
FLASH: Union minister for communications, electronic and information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw says all those individuals who have received Apple security breach alert will be requested to share all evidence with investigation agencies to ascertain foul play or source ofโฆ pic.twitter.com/W4Hwz5CLJo
โ The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) October 31, 2023
He also mocked the Congress party and the Gandhi family for prioritising their own family while governing India. He remarked, โWhen their family ruled the country, they only thought about their own selfish interests.โ
FLASH: Union minister for communications, electronic and information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw announces that Indian government has commissioned a probe into possible breach of security or attack into Apple iphones of MPs or individuals in India. #Apple #iPhone
Executiveโฆ pic.twitter.com/nsZrE9Cogh
โ The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) October 31, 2023
Opposition MPs, such as AAPโs Raghav Chadha, TMCโs Mahua Moitra, and Congressโ Shashi Tharoor, have posted images of notifications they received from Apple, warning of state-sponsored attacks.
READ MORE: India iPhone row: Apple admits attack but says cant share who caused it
Reacting to their claims, Vaishnaw said that Apple has clarified that these alerts indicate attacks occurring in 150 countries, not limited to India alone.
FLASH: Union minister for communications, electronic and information technology Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) says, โApple has clarified that its advisory says attacks have taken place in 150 nations, not India alone.โ#Apple #iPhone
Executive Editor @rohanduaT02โฆ pic.twitter.com/2fONkxXIGM
โ The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) October 31, 2023
โWe request each and every person who has received the advisory who has received the notification to please cooperate with the investigation and make sure that we go to the depth of the matter,โ he said.
He also mentioned that the investigation is a very technical one and requires a deep technical domain.
READ MORE: Apple breach: Ex-UP CM Akhilesh, Raghav, ORF boss & Mahua claim state-sponsored attack
โTherefore a technically qualified agency like CERT-In, which has global collaboration with all the major CERTs of the world, will be investigating and taking the help of other law enforcement agencies,โ he explained.
It turns out that it wasnโt just people in India who received this alert from Apple
Armenia too.
It can even be a foreign govt like China trying to unsettle India democracy knowing Apple has shifted its manufacturing to India. From Zhengzhou to Sriperumbudur, Hyderabad & Bang. pic.twitter.com/rP6AD9lZWB
โ Rohan Dua (@rohanduaT02) October 31, 2023
