Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 03, 2025

Dutch Politician Eva Vlaardingerbroek Receives Spyware Threat Alert from Apple

Dutch political commentator and conservative activist Eva Vlaardingerbroek revealed on Tuesday that she had received an official threat notification from Apple, warning her that her iPhone had been targeted in a sophisticated spyware attack typically used by state-sponsored or mercenary surveillance operators.

According to Vlaardingerbroek, the notification specifically cited a “mercenary spyware attack,” a term used by Apple to describe high-level surveillance tools such as the infamous Pegasus spyware developed by the Israeli NSO Group. These tools are designed to penetrate the security features of smartphones, allowing attackers to access calls, messages, emails, and even activate cameras or microphones without user consent or awareness.

“Yesterday I got a verified threat notification from Apple stating they detected a mercenary spyware attack against my iPhone,” Vlaardingerbroek posted on social media. “We’re talking spyware like Pegasus.”

Though Apple did not publicly confirm individual cases, it has previously acknowledged that it issues such alerts only when there is high confidence that the user has been specifically and individually targeted. Apple began sending these types of alerts in 2021, primarily to journalists, human rights activists, political dissidents, and public officials who are at risk of surveillance by powerful entities.


Political Context and Concerns Over Intimidation

Vlaardingerbroek is a vocal figure in Europe’s right-wing, Eurosceptic movement and has drawn attention for her outspoken criticism of mainstream political institutions, the EU, and progressive immigration policies. She has appeared on international platforms and frequently speaks at conservative events.

While she did not speculate on who might be behind the surveillance attempt, she strongly suggested the attack was politically motivated. “All I know for sure right now is that someone is trying to intimidate me,” she stated. “I have a message for them: It won’t work.”

Her comments sparked an outpouring of support from political allies and concern from digital rights organizations.


Global Alarm Over Mercenary Spyware

The use of mercenary-grade spyware such as Pegasus has drawn sharp criticism from privacy advocates and democratic governments. These tools, originally marketed as anti-terrorism assets, have reportedly been used to monitor journalists, opposition leaders, and civil society figures in dozens of countries.

In response, Apple filed a lawsuit in 2021 against NSO Group and launched a program to notify users believed to be targeted by such surveillance. The company emphasized that the threat notifications are rare and targeted, and not reflective of general malware threats faced by the broader public.

Vlaardingerbroek’s case raises fresh concerns that such tools may be increasingly used not only by authoritarian regimes but also in intra-European political contexts, where ideological battles are intensifying.


Calls for Transparency and Protection

Digital rights organizations are urging Dutch and EU authorities to investigate the source of the attempted surveillance and to offer stronger protections for individuals at risk of politically motivated digital espionage.

“There must be full transparency,” said a spokesperson from Access Now, an NGO focused on digital civil rights. “No one in a democratic society—regardless of political views—should be subjected to clandestine spying for expressing opinions or participating in public discourse.”

As of now, neither Dutch authorities nor Apple have publicly commented further on Vlaardingerbroek’s case. She has not reported any evidence of successful data theft or compromise but has indicated she is taking additional steps to secure her devices.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Panama Port Owner Balances US-China Pressures
France Implements Nationwide Outdoor Smoking Ban to Protect Children
German Chancellor Merz Keeps Putin Guessing on Missile Strategy
Mandelson Criticizes UK's 'Fetish' for Abandoning EU Regulations
British Fishing Boat Owner Fined €30,000 by French Authorities
Dutch government falls as far-right leader Wilders quits coalition
Harvard Urges US to Unfreeze Funds for Public Health Research
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Researchers Consider New Destinations Beyond the U.S.
53-Year-Old Doctor Claims Biological Age of 23
Trump Struggles to Secure Trade Deals With China and Europe
Russia to Return 6,000 Corpses Under Ukraine Prisoner Swap Deal
Microsoft Lays Off Hundreds More Amid Restructuring
Harvey Weinstein’s Publicist Embraces Notoriety
Macron and Meloni Seek Unity Despite Tensions
Trump Administration Accused of Obstructing Deportation Cases
Newark Mayor Sues Over Arrest at Immigration Facility
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s Tariffs Predicted to Stall Global Economic Growth
South Korea’s President-Elect Expected to Take Softer Line on Trump and North Korea
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Ukraine Executes Long-Range Drone Strikes on Russian Airbases
Conservative Karol Nawrocki wins Poland’s presidential election
Study Identifies Potential Radicalization Risk Among Over One Million Muslims in Germany
Good news: Annalena Baerbock Elected President of the UN General Assembly
Apple Appeals EU Law Over User Data Sharing Requirements
South Africa: "First Black Bank" Collapses after Being Looted by Owners
Poland will now withdraw from the EU migration pact after pro-Trump nationalist wins Election
"That's Disgusting, Don’t Say It Again": The Trump Joke That Made the President Boil
Trump Cancels NASA Nominee Over Democratic Donations
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OnlyFans for Sale: From Lockdown Lifeline to Eight-Billion-Dollar Empire
Mayor’s Security Officer Implicated | Shocking New Details Emerge in NYC Kidnapping Case
Hegseth Warns of Potential Chinese Military Action Against Taiwan
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Jamie Dimon Warns U.S. Bond Market Faces Pressure from Rising Debt
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Taylor Swift Gains Ownership of Her First Six Albums
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
White House Press Secretary Criticizes Harvard Funding, Advocates for Vocational Training
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
×