Apple representatives say that they believe sophisticated attacks the new feature is designed to fight - called 'zero click' hacking techniques - are still relatively rare and that most users will not need to activate the new mode.

The sell-off came on a difficult day for global equities as well, with fears over inflation and tightening monetary supply battering bourses in Europe.

The US Food and Drug Administration recommends that Covid-19 vaccine makers change the design of their booster shots beginning this fall to include components tailored to combat BA.4 and BA.5.

President Joe Biden is considering how and whether to remove some of the tariffs imposed by his predecessor, as he faces growing pressure to offer some relief to soaring US inflation.