The government initiated an investigation into the “security” of Apple devices.

In October, Apple sent a warning to independent Indian journalists and opposition party politicians that government hackers were likely trying to break into their smartphones.

“Apple believes that you have been targeted by state-sponsored attackers who have attempted to remotely compromise your iPhone through your Apple ID,” the alert said.

The reports prompted a strong counterattack from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, and officials officially launched an investigation into the security of Apple devices, The Washington Post reports.

India has never confirmed or denied the use of the Pegasus tool, but non-profit human rights group Amnesty International said it had discovered invasive NSO Group spyware on the iPhones of prominent journalists in India, further confirming Apple’s early warnings.

“Our latest findings indicate that journalists in India increasingly face the threat of illegal tracking simply for doing their jobs, alongside other tools of repression, including prison terms and harassment,” said Doncha O Sirbhail, head Department of the Security Laboratory of Amnesty International.

Previously, the Modi administration called Apple representatives to a closed meeting with the demand to explain their actions, and after that the company even published a statement that some of the messages may have been erroneous. Apple later declined to comment.

Many of the more than 20 people who received warnings about the hacks have publicly criticized Modi or his longtime ally Gautam Adani, the Indian energy and infrastructure tycoon.

Apple is currently expanding its business in India and has opened two official stores in the country this year. The company also plans to move more than 25% of iPhone production to India by 2025, but strained relations with the government could derail those plans.