Topic
Apple
DarkSword Exploit Kit Expands to 180 Sites Targeting iPhone Users with Zero-Click Chain
Malware & Botnets
FAS Case Against Apple Will Not Brick iPhones for Russian Users
Policy & Regulation
Telegram Removed from App Store After Extortionist Plants AI-Modified CSAM in Archived Message
Ransomware & ExtortionTelegram Briefly Removed from App Store After Apple Detects Child Sexual Abuse Material
Telegram was temporarily pulled from the App Store in multiple countries after Apple moderators identified content linked to child sexual abuse. The removal lasted roughly 20 minutes before the app was reinstated following Telegram's quick removal of the prohibited material and blocking of the responsible user. Apple cited strict App Store rules as the reason for the action. During the outage, already-installed copies continued to function normally while the app remained available via the Mac App Store and Google Play. Telegram responded on X with the quote “Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated” before Apple issued its official explanation. This marks at least the third documented instance of Telegram facing App Store removal, including a 2018 incident over unacceptable content and a 2024 removal from the Chinese store at the request of local regulators.
Russia's FAS Opens Antitrust Case Against Apple for Failing to Pre-Install Domestic Software on iOS Devices
Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service has initiated proceedings against Apple after the company failed to comply with a prior warning to pre-install Russian software on iPhones and iPads. The case stems from requirements under Russian law to offer domestic alternatives for search engines, messengers, and app stores. Apple had added support for a Russian search engine in a software update, but this did not satisfy regulators who also demanded the national messenger and domestic app store. Non-compliance could result in a fine reaching up to 4 billion rubles under the Code of Administrative Offenses. The government has already approved a mandatory list of Russian applications that must be pre-installed on smartphones and tablets starting January 1, 2027. The list includes RuStore, Max, Yandex Browser, Alice AI, VKontakte, Gosuslugi, Mir Pay, Mail.ru, and 2GIS among others.
Apple Updates Find My in iOS 27 to Automatically Switch Location Source to Apple Watch
Apple is enhancing the Find My application in the upcoming iOS 27 release to intelligently switch the source of a user's location data between devices. The current system relies on a single selected device, typically the iPhone, which causes inaccurate location reporting when the user leaves the phone at home. In iOS 27, the app will detect when paired Apple Watch devices move far from the iPhone and automatically begin transmitting coordinates from the watch instead. The feature supports both standard Apple Watch models and cellular variants, with LTE-equipped watches providing more reliable updates without depending on Wi-Fi or nearby iPhones. watchOS 27 will also consolidate the separate Find People, Find Devices, and Find Items apps into a single unified Locator application featuring a full-screen map and Digital Crown navigation. Both iOS 27 and watchOS 27 are currently in beta testing, with a public release expected in September.
Russian Ministry Clarifies No Plans to Disable Apple iPhones Despite New Device Registry
The Russian Ministry of Digital Development has officially stated that no government body or telecom operator has the authority to remotely disable iPhones or other devices from specific manufacturers. The clarification was issued in response to an inquiry from deputy Vladimir Plyakin regarding rumors of potential restrictions if Apple fails to comply with Russian legislation. Current laws do not permit turning user devices into non-functional bricks through any centralized mechanism. However, amendments to the law On Communications will introduce a national registry of user equipment identifiers starting March 1, 2027. The ministry is still developing the regulatory framework for this database, including what data will be collected and which agencies will have access. Officials emphasized that the existence of the registry does not imply any capability for mass device deactivation at this stage.
macOS Users Encounter Phishing and Scams More Often Than Windows Users but Adopt Fewer Protections, Kaspersky Study Reveals
A new study from Kaspersky Lab shows that macOS users report higher rates of phishing encounters and various scams compared to Windows users, yet they are less likely to implement basic security measures. Over the past year, 12 percent of macOS users faced phishing attempts versus 9 percent of Windows users, while 16 percent encountered investment fraud schemes compared to 13 percent. Privacy violations and personal data theft were also reported more frequently by Mac owners at 11 percent and 12 percent respectively, against 8 percent and 7 percent for Windows. Security habits differ notably, with only 51 percent of macOS users avoiding suspicious links and emails versus 62 percent of Windows users, and just 35 percent installing additional protection tools compared to 42 percent. Password practices and multi-factor authentication usage follow the same pattern, with Mac users trailing in creating unique or complex passwords and enabling 2FA. Kaspersky notes that while macOS built-in defenses handle many threats effectively, they offer limited protection against social engineering and platform-specific attacks, underscoring that the Apple brand does not serve as automatic security.
Telegram Bug Floods iPhones with Fake Notifications, Causing Severe Overheating and Battery Drain
A persistent bug in the Telegram messaging app has been causing iOS devices to overheat dramatically and rapidly drain their batteries by spamming hundreds of false push notifications in the background. The issue triggers constant English-language alerts reading "You have a new message" even when users have Russian language settings enabled and message previews turned off, rendering the notifications useless. Reports of the problem first emerged in May but intensified after the release of Telegram version 12.9, which appears to create an infinite loop in background processes that overworks the CPU. Affected users report battery losses of up to 11 percent within 30 minutes of idle time, with some devices becoming hot enough that Apple automatically pauses charging until temperatures drop. One journalist resorted to using a gaming controller with a built-in fan to keep an iPhone cool enough to charge. The only temporary workaround involves clearing the app cache and performing a full reinstall from the App Store, though the bug has been known to return after one or two weeks for some users.
Russian Users Report Widespread App Store Outages as Roskomnadzor Denies Any Role in Restricting Access
Russian users began experiencing technical problems with the App Store starting early in the day, with the monitoring service Sboy.rf receiving 251 complaints about instability and failed downloads. The majority of reports originated from Moscow, accounting for 20 percent of cases, followed by Saint Petersburg at 13 percent and several other regions including Udmurtia, Kursk, Rostov, Bryansk oblasts and Stavropol Krai each contributing 5 percent. Affected users described inconsistent behavior of the App Store application itself along with difficulties downloading games and other software, where the Get button would appear but actual downloads would succeed only sporadically. In response to the growing number of reports, Roskomnadzor quickly issued a brief statement clarifying that it is not imposing any restrictions on access to the App Store. The exact cause of the disruptions remains unknown, Apple has not provided any official comment, and the scale of the incident is considered limited since only several hundred users have reported issues and not everyone is affected. Standard troubleshooting steps such as verifying internet connectivity, restarting the App Store application, and waiting for service restoration have been recommended to users.
VK and MAX Apps Removed from Google Play Store Amid EU Sanctions on Russian Company
VK and its national messenger MAX have been removed from the Google Play Store following the European Union's decision to add the parent company to its sanctions list. The company confirmed that the apps are no longer available for new downloads or updates through Google, but existing installations continue to function normally with full access to messaging, calls, events, and push notifications. Users can obtain updates and new installations through alternative Android stores including RuStore, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Store, and Xiaomi GetApps, or receive in-app update prompts when new versions become available. The removal comes shortly after similar apps such as Dzen and VK Video disappeared from the Apple App Store last month. Although the exact reasons were not disclosed in VK's statement, the sanctions were triggered specifically by the development of the MAX messenger as a national platform. This development highlights how regulatory actions are reshaping app distribution channels for Russian digital services, positioning RuStore as a primary rather than backup marketplace.
Kremlin Spokesperson Peskov Labels EU Sanctions Against MAX Messenger as Manifestation of Repressive Policy
Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary to the Russian president, has strongly condemned the European Union's decision to impose sanctions on the Russian messenger MAX, describing the move as absolutely absurd and a clear demonstration of the repressive character of European sanctions policy. The EU added the parent company VK and its subsidiary LLC Communication Platform, the developer and operator of MAX, to its sanctions list due to their connection with Russia's national messenger. This action follows the removal of the VK and MAX applications from the Apple App Store in June, although already installed versions continue to function without the ability to receive updates through the store. VK has stated that the sanctions have not impacted the messenger's operations and that MAX along with other services remain fully available to users in normal mode. The situation raises questions about whether further barriers will emerge around MAX beyond the current sanctions listings and App Store restrictions, with political rhetoric currently outweighing any significant technical consequences.
630GB of Apple Secrets Leaked on Dark Web: WorldLeaks Breach Shatters Tata Electronics Supply Chain Security
In June 2026, the ransomware group WorldLeaks infiltrated Tata Electronics, Apple's key manufacturing partner in India, and exfiltrated 630GB of highly sensitive data comprising over 200,000 files that were subsequently posted on the dark web. The stolen materials include unreleased iPhone 18 Pro motherboard schematics, A20 Pro chip technical manuals, complete supplier lists, Tesla component designs, and employee passport copies, exposing the vulnerabilities in Apple's two-decade supply chain secrecy system built at a cost of billions of dollars. WorldLeaks, formerly known as Hunters International, employed a 'steal-only' tactic without encryption, capitalizing on the growing trend of data extortion that has proven more profitable than traditional ransomware. The breach raises serious concerns about Apple's ambitious India manufacturing expansion, which aims to increase local component sourcing from 10% to 50% within three years, and highlights broader risks to global supply chains involving companies such as Tesla, TSMC, and Qualcomm. Apple responded swiftly by deploying DMCA takedowns across platforms like X within 24 hours, yet the irreversible nature of dark web leaks underscores the need for enhanced supplier security audits, data segmentation, and proactive data loss prevention measures.