Russian government hackers targeting Signal and WhatsApp users, Dutch spies warn | TechCrunch

Last day to exhibit your breakthrough to 10,000+ tech leaders at Disrupt is on Oct 2. Book Exhibit Table Now. Disrupt doors open Oct. 13. Get your pass and bring someone with you at 50% off. REGISTER NOW. Russian government hackers are targeting Signal and WhatsApp users, particularly government and military officials, as well as journalists all over the world, Dutch intelligence said on Monday. The Netherlands’ Defence Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) and the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) published details about a “large-scale global” hacking campaign against Signal and WhatsApp users. The two agencies accused “Russian state actors” of using phishing and social engineering techniques — rather than malware — to take over accounts on the two messaging apps. In the case of Signal, the hackers are masquerading as the app’s support team and messaging targets directly with warnings of suspicious activity, “a possible data leak,” or of attempts to access the target’s private data. If the target falls for it, the hackers ask for a verification code sent via SMS — the hackers themselves request this code from Signal — as well as the targets’ PIN code. The hackers

Mar 9, 2026 → Mar 9, 2026