New Delhi: India's cybersecurity agency, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), has launched an investigation into what some opposition politicians claim are "state-sponsored" hacking attempts on their iPhones. The IT Secretary, S. Krishnan, officially confirmed the commencement of this investigation on Thursday and also disclosed that a formal notice has been dispatched to Apple Inc.

The Apple warning received by politicians, including Mahua Moitra and Shashi Tharoor, has raised concerns and set off alarm bells. Moitra, in a detailed two-page letter addressed to Om Birla, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, expressed her profound shock at the situation, especially in light of the Pegasus software scandal that unfolded between 2019 and 2021. Notably, international organizations such as 'Access Now' and 'Citizen Lab' have lent credibility to Apple's threat notifications through their recent confirmations.

Mahua Moitra's letter to Om Birla: Moitra's letter to Birla highlighted the gravity of the situation, referring to the alleged government surveillance employing software typically reserved for state actors. She emphasized that this represents a grave violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, which is the cornerstone of the nation's democratic values.

The letter further underlined a pattern of targeted attacks on opposition leaders and those who dissent from the government's stance over the past few years, painting a disturbing picture of the state of cybersecurity and privacy in the country. The investigation initiated by CERT-In is expected to shed light on the alleged state-sponsored hacking attempts, providing insights into the scale and implications of these cyberattacks.

The Indian government's notice to Apple marks a significant step in addressing these concerns and seeking accountability from the tech giant. As the investigation unfolds, many will be watching closely to see how this matter evolves and the potential implications it may have on the broader discussion surrounding cybersecurity and individual privacy in the digital age.

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