Cyber Actors Linked to Russia Targeting Users of Messaging Apps, FBI Says

Thousands of messaging app users may have been hacked by cyber actors who targeted government officials and journalists.

The icons of mobile apps are seen on the screen of a smart phone in New Delhi, India, on May 26, 2021. Sajjad Hussain/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. intelligence officials warned the public March 20 about a Russia-linked cyber campaign targeting users of popular encrypted messaging apps, such as Signal, to access the private conversations of officials and journalists.

“Globally, this effort has resulted in unauthorized access to thousands of individual accounts,” FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X.