Russia claims Apple helped US National Security Agency hack iPhones belonging to Russian citizens

Russia has claimed that Apple has provided the US National Security Agency (NSA) with backdoor access to iPhones belonging to both Russian citizens and foreign diplomats based in the country, Reuters reports.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Thursday it had uncovered a plot using previously unknown malware to access specially made so-called backdoor vulnerabilities in Apple devices, claiming that the NSA used the backdoor to access several thousand Apple devices, including those belonging to both Russian citizens and foreign diplomats.

The report, spotted by 9to5Mac, goes on to claim that the plot demonstrates a close relationship between Apple and the US National Security Agency, responsible for cryptographic and communications intelligence and security, although Apple strongly disagrees.

In a statement Apple denied the allegation. “We have never worked with any government to insert a backdoor into any Apple product and never will.”

Despite its claims, Russia has provided no evidence that Apple cooperated with, or had any awareness of, the alleged spying campaign.