Apple warned in late October that Indian journalists and opposition figures may have been targeted in state-sponsored attacks, prompting a fierce pushback from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Government officials have publicly cast doubt on Apple's findings and announced investigations into device security.
According to the Washington Post, in a closed-door meeting, senior officials in the Modi government went a step further and asked Apple to weaken the political impact of the security warning. The report also said senior officials summoned Apple representatives and insisted they provide alternative explanations, even flying an Apple security expert to meet with ministry leaders.
The report also said that the pressure campaign was directed at Apple executives in California, but the results were limited. While Apple India officials initially helped raise doubts about the alerts, issuing a statement that said in part that some of the notifications may have been false alarms, the company did not issue any follow-up statements to reassure authorities.
The latest events also illustrate the dangers faced by critics of the Indian government and the lengths Modi's government will go to deflect suspicion of its involvement in hacking its perceived enemies, according to digital rights groups, industry workers and Indian journalists.
Many of the more than 20 people who received warnings from Apple in late October had publicly criticized Modi or his long-time ally, Indian energy and infrastructure tycoon Gautam Adani. They include a radical politician from West Bengal, a communist leader in southern India and the spokesman for India's largest opposition party in New Delhi.
For Apple, maintaining its commitment to user safety takes precedence over the risks to its growing India operations. JP Morgan analysts said Apple opened two official stores in India this year and plans to transfer 25% of iPhone production to India by 2025. But the showdown revealed Modi's willingness to put pressure on big tech companies.