German Prosecutors Probe Phishing That Hit Two Merz Cabinet Ministers’ Signal Accounts

Overview

• Der Spiegel reported Saturday that two cabinet ministers in Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s coalition had their Signal account information stolen in a phishing attack.
• Federal prosecutors opened a criminal investigation and are handling the incidents as a potential espionage offense.
• Signal is an encrypted messaging app, but stolen login or verification details can let attackers hijack an account and pose as the official in private chats.
• The German government warned that the same threat could reach politicians, military personnel, and journalists as attackers look for high-value contacts.
• The magazine said similar Signal-focused attacks have hit Europe since last year, with Dutch authorities suggesting possible Russian involvement and NATO officials also targeted.