Several prominent opposition leaders, including Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra, Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Shashi Tharoor, and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, have raised alarm over alleged attempts to hack into their mobile phones. They claim that the Indian government is targeting their devices.
In a post on social media, Mahua Moitra revealed that she received a warning from Apple, stating that the government was trying to breach her phone and email security. Moitra’s response was clear and direct, as she said, “Home Minister’s Office – get a life. Adani and PMO bullies – your fear makes me pity you.”
She also tagged Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi and shared, “Priyanka Chaturvedi, you and I and three other Indians have got it so far.” Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi indicated her intent to raise the issue, stating, “Wonder who? Shame on you. Cc: Home Minister’s Office for your kind attention.” She further addressed Union Ministers, saying, “Kind attention Ashwini Vaishnaw and Rajeev Chandrasekhar.”
Pawan Khera, a Congress Working Committee member, joined the voices of concern, posting, “Dear Modi Sarkar, why are you doing this?” He included a screenshot of the warning email he received.
Owaisi wrote, “Received an Apple Threat Notification last night that attackers may be targeting my phone
ḳhuub parda hai ki chilman se lage baiThe haiñ saaf chhupte bhī nahīñ sāmne aate bhī nahīñ”
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor posted on X and said, “Received from an Apple ID, threat-notifications@apple.com, which I have verified. Authenticity confirmed. Glad to keep underemployed officials busy at the expenses of taxpayers like me! Nothing more important to do?”
The email titled “ALERT: State-sponsored attackers may be targeting your iPhone. These attackers are likely targeting you individually because of who you are or what you do. If your device is compromised by a state-sponsored attacker, they may be able to remotely access your sensitive data, communications, or even the camera and microphone.” The email urged recipients to take the warning seriously.
These allegations emerged just before the Delhi High Court is set to hear the defamation suit filed by Trinamool Congress MP Moitra. The suit involves allegations of cash for Parliament questions against BJP MP Nishikant Dubey and lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai. Moitra has been summoned by the Ethics Committee to appear before it on November 2.
Moitra was initially asked to appear before the Ethics Committee on October 31 but informed the committee that she would be available after November 5 due to prior constituency commitments.
The ethics committee is conducting an investigation into BJP MP Dubey’s claims that Moitra accepted cash and favours in exchange for posing questions in the Lok Sabha regarding businessman Gautam Adani, allegedly at the behest of businessman Hiranandani. In a related development, BJP MP Dubey and advocate Jai Anant Dehadrai provided “oral evidence” to the panel against Moitra on Thursday.
