Espionage suspicion: Karin Prien and Verena Hubertz also reportedly affected by hacks

As reported by Die Zeit, Germany is facing a significant cybersecurity threat with sophisticated phishing attacks targeting the Signal accounts of high-ranking politicians. This breach raises serious concerns about the security of sensitive government communications and the potential for espionage.

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The recent attacks on accounts of federal politicians in the messenger service Signal were apparently also successful with members of the federal government.

The latest reports indicate that not only Bundestag President Julia Klöckner but also Federal Minister of Education Karin Prien and Federal Minister for Building Verena Hubertz may have fallen victim to these attacks. The method appears to involve compromising their Signal accounts, a messaging service often used for secure communication by politicians. The fact that these attacks have seemingly succeeded against high-profile government officials suggests a well-organized and determined adversary.

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According to the report, the accounts of Federal Minister of Education Karin Prien (CDU) and Federal Minister for Building Verena Hubertz (SPD) are said to have been compromised.

The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office has now taken charge of the investigation, underscoring the gravity of the situation. From a German perspective, this is not merely a technical issue but a matter of national security. The potential for foreign actors to gain access to internal government discussions, especially within a group chat that includes Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz, is deeply alarming. This incident highlights the persistent challenges Germany faces in protecting its digital infrastructure and the need for continuous vigilance against cyber threats, especially in the current geopolitical climate.

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The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office has since taken over the investigation into the incidents.