Beautiful Virgin Islands

Monday, Jun 30, 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
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
Russian Shadow Payments via Cryptocurrency Reach $9 Billion
Explosions Rock Doha as Iranian Missiles Target Qatar
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
×