Watch CBS News

Apple Issues Emergency Software Update Over Spyware Threat To iPhones, Other Devices

BOSTON (AP) -- Apple released a critical software patch to fix a security vulnerability that researchers said could allow hackers to directly infect iPhones and other Apple devices without any user action.

Security researchers at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab said the flaw was exploited to plant spyware on a Saudi activist's iPhone, and warned that it could allow hackers to similarly infect other Apple devices without any user action.

The researchers said the flaw was exploited by the world's most infamous hacker-for-hire firm, Israel's NSO Group; the company responded with a one-sentence statement saying it will continue providing tools for fighting "terror and crime."

(© Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.