Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) said Russian operatives compromised his account on the encrypted messaging app Signal, adding that federal investigators are now examining the breach.Bacon, one of Congress‘s most vocal Republican supporters of aid to Ukraine, told Politico hackers linked to the Russian government gained access to his Signal account roughly four to five months ago. He said both the FBI and House cybersecurity officials are investigating the incident.The Nebraska Republican said he does not believe any classified information was exposed because he does not use Signal to store or transmit sensitive government material.
Bacon first disclosed the breach during a cybersecurity conference in Washington on Wednesday, saying he had “just learned Russia hacked my Signal.” He later told Politico the attackers appeared to have posed as a trusted acquaintance to gain access to his account, a tactic consistent with spear phishing.
“It’s because they’re smart enough to know who my friends are,” Bacon said, adding that the FBI and House cybersecurity specialists remain engaged in the investigation.
The disclosure comes as federal cybersecurity agencies have warned of Russian-backed campaigns targeting current and former U.S. officials through Signal and other commercial messaging platforms.
