Yes, dictators use our phones to spy on critics, says Apple

‘‘State-sponsored’’ cyberattackers are using malware on iPhones to spy on anti-government activists, politicians and journalists in Thailand, Ghana, Uganda and El Salvador, Apple has said in awarning to potential victims. The alertwas made immediately after Apple brought legal action against NSO Group, the Israeli company behind Pegasus spyware, which can ‘‘infect’’ a smartphone without its owner being aware. ‘‘Apple believes you are being targeted by state-sponsored attackers who are trying to remotely compromise the iPhone associated with your Apple ID,’’ thewarning says. It was sent out over the past 24 hours to people across the world.