Translation of Wall Art: “Nobody Must be a Radical.” Lee’sPerspectives in Frankfurt October 15, 2018. This graffiti art was well publicized in Germany. The wall is across the street from the Frankfurt Courthouse. Is Hacking the German Government Radical??
Deutsche Welle 1.4.2019
Germany’s digital defense body is “intensively” investigating the apparent data leak that saw data of hundreds of politicians from across the political spectrum being published online, a spokesman for the Federal Office for IT Safety (BSI) said on Friday.
“Hacking attack against politicians: The BSI is currently intensively probing the issue in close cooperation with other federal institutions,” the BSI said on Twitter, adding that “according to what we know so far” the government’s confidential networks were unaffected.
Preliminary review of the documents discovered no sensitive information. However, the data published on Twitter included mobile phone numbers, contact info, and credit card details from members of Germany’s major parties. The leak also included banking and financial details, ID cards and private chats.
Justice Minister Katarina Barley described the incident as a “serious attack.”
“The perpetrators wanted to damage our trust in democracy and our institutions,” she told reporters.
Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said an initial analysis suggests that the material was obtained from cloud services, email accounts or social networks.
Chancellery data leaked
Among the apparent targets were Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
“With regard to the Chancellery it seems that, judging by the initial review, no sensitive information and data have been published and this includes (from) the chancellor,” a government spokeswoman told reporters.
The hackers published Merkel’s fax number, email address and several letters written by and addressed to her, according to the DPA news agency.
Photo: Liz Heidhues
