Julia Klöckner's Signal messaging app hacked in phishing-style cyberattack

12 articles · Updated · POLITICO Europe · Apr 23

Klöckner, the German Bundestag President, was targeted alongside at least one other CDU lawmaker in a recent attack on Signal, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz reportedly unaffected.
The cyberattack used a fake Signal support chatbot to trick victims into revealing PIN codes, following warnings from European and German intelligence agencies about such phishing campaigns.
This incident is part of a broader wave of cyberattacks on European politicians, prompting ongoing recommendations for secure communication practices and limited official comment from German authorities.

Beyond Signal, what security blind spots are leaving European governments exposed to espionage?

With Russian hackers breaching Signal, is any messaging app truly safe for world leaders?

Why did official warnings fail to prevent Germany's top politicians from being compromised?

If top officials can be tricked, what chance does an average citizen have against hackers?

What sensitive data was exposed and how might it impact EU support for Ukraine?

How is Russia leveraging AI to make its cyberattacks on politicians more effective?