Russia-backed hackers breach Signal, WhatsApp accounts of officials, journalists, Netherlands warns

A woman poses for a photo while holding a smartphone in front of a screen showing U.S. messenger app WhatsApp against the backdrop of numerical codes on the state flag of Russia, in this illustration taken February 12, 2026. REUTERS/Ramil Sitdikov/Illustration

AMSTERDAM, March 9 (Reuters) - ⁠Russian-backed hackers have launched a global cyber campaign to gain access to Signal ⁠and WhatsApp accounts used by officials, military personnel and journalists, two intelligence ‌agencies in the Netherlands warned on Monday.

Users are persuaded in chats initiated by the hackers to divulge security verification and pin codes, giving them access to personal accounts and group chats, they said in a ​statement.