Got a Government Spyware Alert? Here's What to Do Right Now

The Rise of Spyware Notifications

Tech companies are sounding the alarm like never before. In December 2025, Apple sent threat notifications to users in 84 countries, part of a growing effort to warn people about state sponsored surveillance. Since 2021, Apple has alerted users in over 150 countries to potential spyware targeting.

Google has joined the effort, sending similar warnings to Gmail and Android users. In early December 2025, both companies issued a rare coordinated warning about global spyware campaigns, marking one of the most serious public acknowledgements of surveillance threats in recent years.

These aren't hypothetical risks. The WhatsApp lawsuit against NSO Group revealed that 1,400 people across 20 countries were targeted through a single vulnerability. In May 2025, a U.S. jury ordered NSO Group to pay $168 million in damages, the first time the spyware maker was held financially accountable for its operations.

Why Email Is the First Target

When attackers deploy sophisticated spyware like Pegasus, Predator, or tools from Paragon Solutions, email is often their primary entry point. Here's why your inbox matters:

• Phishing remains the top infection vector. Most spyware infections begin with a carefully crafted email containing a malicious link. One click can compromise your entire device.
• Email is your digital master key. Access to your email means access to password resets for banking, social media, and every other online account. Attackers know this.
• Tracking enables reconnaissance. Before launching an attack, sophisticated actors gather intelligence. Email tracking pixels reveal when you read messages, your location, your device type, and your daily patterns.
• Gmail accounts are high value targets. Your Google account connects to Drive, Photos, Calendar, and often your Android phone. Compromising Gmail means compromising your entire digital life.

What These Notifications Actually Mean

Receiving a spyware alert doesn't necessarily mean your device is infected. Apple and Google often detect and block attacks before they succeed. However, the notification confirms you were specifically targeted, not caught in a random sweep.

According to Apple, these attacks target "a very small number of individuals, often journalists, activists, politicians, and diplomats." But the definition of "high value target" is expanding. Researchers at Access Now and Amnesty International have documented attacks against lawyers, academics, business executives, and their family members.

Immediate Steps If You Receive an Alert

Security experts recommend taking these actions immediately:

For Apple users: Enable Lockdown Mode in Settings > Privacy & Security. Apple claims no successful attack has occurred against a user with Lockdown Mode enabled. Update to the latest iOS version immediately.

For Gmail users: Activate Google's Advanced Protection Program, which requires physical security keys for login and provides the strongest account defenses available. Enable two factor authentication if you haven't already.

For everyone: Restart your device regularly. Modern spyware often uses "smash and grab" tactics, stealing data quickly before removing traces. A restart can clear some temporary exploits.

Getting Professional Help

If you believe you've been targeted, several organizations offer free assistance:

The Access Now Digital Security Helpline provides emergency support for journalists, activists, and human rights workers. Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto investigates spyware cases and has exposed numerous government surveillance operations. Amnesty International's Security Lab offers forensic analysis using tools like the Mobile Verification Toolkit.

For professionals and business users, companies like iVerify, Lookout, and specialized security consultancies can perform device forensics.

Protecting Your Inbox Before an Attack

The best defense is preparation. Blocking email trackers removes one reconnaissance tool from attackers' arsenals. When spyware operators can't see when you open emails, what device you use, or where you're located, they lose valuable intelligence.

Keep your email client updated and be extremely cautious with links, even from known contacts whose accounts may be compromised. Consider using separate email addresses for sensitive communications and general use.

Government spyware is no longer a distant threat affecting only dissidents in authoritarian regimes. As these tools proliferate and tech companies expand their warning systems, protecting your email has become essential digital hygiene for everyone.