Hackers linked to Russian intelligence have been targeting messaging app accounts of high-profile U.S. users, FBI Director Kash Patel said on March 20.
Patel said that the FBI identified the cyber actors responsible for the campaign, which aimed at “individuals of high intelligence value,” such as current and former U.S. government officials, military personnel, political figures, and journalists.
“Globally, this effort has resulted in unauthorized access to thousands of individual accounts. After gaining access, the actors can view messages and contact lists, send messages as the victim, and conduct additional phishing from a trusted identity,” Patel wrote on X.
The @FBI has identified cyber actors associated with Russian Intelligence Services targeting users of commercial messaging applications, including Signal.
The campaign targets individuals of high intelligence value, including current and former U.S. government officials,…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 20, 2026
Patel named Signal as one of the apps in question. In 2024, Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, announced the blocking of Signal.
Russia blocked several foreign social networks and messenger apps, referring to companies’ alleged violations of Russian law.