In a joint statement, the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD) said the hackers attempt to trick users into revealing security verification and PIN codes during chats initiated by the attackers.

The agencies said the tactic allows hackers to take control of personal accounts and gain access to private conversations and group chats.

“The Russian hackers have likely gained access to sensitive information,” the agencies said, adding that some victims include Dutch government employees and journalists.

Encrypted messaging platforms are widely used by officials to share confidential information, making them attractive targets for cyber espionage.

Investigators said the attackers frequently pose as a Signal Support chatbot, persuading users to share authentication codes. Another method involves exploiting the app’s “linked devices” feature to gain access to accounts.

Authorities warned that duplicated contacts or numbers appearing as “deleted account” in contact lists could signal that an account has been compromised.

Dutch authorities have issued a cyber advisory to government employees and are offering support to mitigate the threat.

Peter Reesink, director of the MIVD, said that despite strong encryption, messaging apps should not be used to share classified or highly sensitive information.

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In a statement, Roskomnadzor said the decision was based on information from law enforcement agencies alleging that FaceTime had been used to organise terrorist attacks, recruit perpetrators, and facilitate fraud and other crimes. The watchdog did not provide evidence to support the allegations. Apple has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the suspension of FaceTime services in Russia.

Residents in Moscow who attempted to use the app on Thursday reported receiving “User unavailable” notifications. Users said incoming calls appeared on the recipient’s device but could not be connected. The disruption extends a series of government actions targeting platforms that officials claim have failed to comply with Russian security and data-sharing requirements.

Roskomnadzor has in recent months increased efforts to restrict Western media and social platforms, citing the presence of content that violates Russian laws. In August, authorities began limiting some calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, accusing both services of declining to share information related to fraud and terrorism investigations. The watchdog also blocked access to the U.S.-based children’s gaming platform Roblox last week, accusing it of distributing extremist materials and prohibited content.

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The agency accused the Meta-owned messenger of refusing to cooperate with law enforcement requests linked to fraud and terrorism investigations. In August, Moscow began restricting certain call functions on WhatsApp and Telegram, citing similar concerns.

“If the messaging service continues to fail to meet the demands of Russian legislation, it will be completely blocked,” Interfax quoted the watchdog as saying.

WhatsApp has criticised the restrictions, accusing authorities of attempting to cut millions of Russians off from secure communication. Meanwhile, the government is promoting MAX — a state-backed alternative that critics say could enable user surveillance, a claim Russian officials deny.

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The move is part of Moscow’s broader push to tighten control over its digital space amid tensions with the West over the war in Ukraine. Officials say MAX, developed by state-controlled tech company VK, will integrate with government services and provide a “secure” alternative to foreign platforms.

Critics, however, argue that the app could be used as a surveillance tool. Opposition figures have labeled it a “spying app,” though state media insists MAX requests fewer data permissions than WhatsApp or Telegram.

Alongside MAX, Russia’s RuStore app store will now come pre-installed on Apple devices as well as Android, while smart TVs sold from January 1 must ship with LIME HD TV, a free service offering state-run channels.

The decision comes just weeks after Moscow restricted some WhatsApp and Telegram calls, accusing the platforms of failing to assist in law enforcement investigations. WhatsApp, which boasts 97.3 million users in Russia, condemned the move as an attack on secure communications, while Telegram, with 90.8 million users, said it actively combats misuse.

Despite the skepticism, MAX claims 18 million downloads to date, though parts of the service remain in testing. Authorities tout the app as safer than foreign rivals, even as police recently reported their first fraud arrest linked to the platform.

Observers say the rollout of MAX is less about innovation and more about enforcing digital sovereignty, giving the Kremlin a tighter grip over online communications.

The post Russia Mandates State-Backed Messenger MAX on All Phones Amid WhatsApp Surveillance Concerns appeared first on Tech Digest News.

Tech Digest– After increases in most Asian markets on Tuesday despite losses in technology equities, notably Japan’s SoftBank, European averages were divided.

Concerns about inflation and what central banks could do to stop that trend are being added to these anxieties. Higher interest rates typically have a negative impact on stock prices. Other concerns about the markets include the conflict in Ukraine and the strikes on Europe’s largest nuclear facility.

READ ALSO: FG, Halogen Sign MoU On Cybersecurity Training For 40,000 Youths, Military Personnel

Russia-occupied southeast Ukraine is home to a nuclear power plant, and Moscow and Kyiv have both accused the other of bombarding that facility, raising concerns around the world. Six nuclear reactors make up the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, and the fighting in the area has increased the risk of an accident.

Germany’s DAX dipped 0.4 percent to 13,632.20, while France’s CAC 40 increased by less than 2 points to 6,526.13. The FTSE 100 in Britain increased by less than 0.1 percent to 7,489.68. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and S&P 500 futures both increased by 0.2 percent.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 index fell by about 0.9 percent to close at 27,999.96 during Asian trading. The value of Japanese technology investor SoftBank Group Corp. fell by more than 7%. It released a record-breaking $23 billion quarterly loss on Monday. The Chinese e-commerce behemoth Alibaba and other technology-related difficulties have caused a global nosedive, which has affected the company’s substantial investment portfolio.

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TECHDIGEST – A Moscow court has fined Alphabet’s Google 15 million roubles ($260,000) for repeatedly failing to comply with a Russian law requiring technology companies to localize user data.

The Court said it imposed the fine for what it described as Google’s repeated failure to store the personal data of Russian users in databases on Russian territory.

Google moved some employees out of Russia after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in late February.

Source: Nairametric

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The National Information Technology Development Agency’s Computer Emergency Readiness and Response Team (NITDA-CERRT) has urged all government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to take extra security precautions by hardening their cyber defences and performing due diligence in identifying indicators of malicious activity that could affect their networks, assets, and critical national infrastructure.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, cyber attacks on businesses and government organizations have grown, with the possibility of spillover cyber attacks against non-primary targets becoming far more frequent.

In a statement made available to newsmen, said: “There is a greater danger for countries doing business in or with these countries’ governments, as well as businesses or countries that apply sanctions or are believed to intervene.”

Therefore, Ministries Departments Agencies are advised to use the following steps to prevent such attacks.

“Carry out checks for possible vulnerabilities on their systems and implement appropriate remediations.
Always ensure software’s are updated.Carry out regular patches on all systems.

“Secure and monitor remote desktop protocol and other risky services.
Carry out awareness on cyber security best practices to sensitized employees and users of services. It said.

Organizations are however, invited to sign up for NITDA’s free web protection service, which will provide MDAs’ administrators with detailed information about the vulnerability of their web services.

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TikTok said it had suspended live streaming and new content from its platform as it assesses tough new laws to crack down on “fake news” about Russia’s armed forces.

Netflix said it was pulling out in protest at the invasion.

Visa, Mastercard and PwC also joined the list of western firms cutting ties.

TikTok, which has around 36 million users in Russia, said its move was about ensuring the safety of its staff and users.

Since Friday, anyone who writes news deemed false about the military could face up to 15 years in jail.

Among other things, the Kremlin objects to the conflict being called a war, instead calling it a “special military operation”.

The BBC and other news outlets have already stopped reporting in Russia, saying they can no longer be independent.

In a series of Tweets, TikTok said: “In light of Russia’s new ‘fake news’ law, we have no choice but to suspend live-streaming and new content to our video service while we review the safety implications of this law.

“Our in-app messaging service will not be affected.”
It added: “We will continue to evaluate the evolving circumstances in Russia to determine when we might fully resume our services with safety as our top priority.”

Chinese-owned TikTok, which has one billion users worldwide, has been criticised for not speaking out against Russia invading Ukraine, unlike its peers Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, and Twitter.

But in a longer statement on its website on Sunday, it described the war in Ukraine as “devastating”, adding that it had “brought pain to our community and our people”.

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TECHDIGEST – Although Russia does not account for a significant revenue share for Apple products, the tech giant’s exit will likely leave a mark on its smartphone sales that have been growing in the country.

Data presented by Burga indicates that based on vendor, Apple accounts for 15% of the Russian smartphone sales to rank third overall. South Korea’s Samsung occupies the pole position with 34%, followed by Xiaomi in the third spot at 26%.

Realme has a share of 8%, followed by Poco at 3%, while other smaller brands account for 14%.

Elsewhere, as of 2021, Russia’s smartphone sales stood at ₽730 billion ($7.6 billion). Therefore, based on Burga’s calculation, Apple might lose an estimate of at least $3 million in iPhone sales revenue daily or $1.14 billion annually.

The amount is based on Apple’s latest recorded Russian market share and the company’s revenue from sales as of 2021.

The revenue lost might be higher considering that Russia’s general smartphone sales income has risen steadily in the last few years. As of 2020, the revenue stood at ₽570 billion ($5.93 billion), while in 2019, the figure was at ₽500 billion ($5.2 billion). Overall, between 2014 and 2021, the figure has spiked almost 200%.

An end to the rocky relationship between Russia and Apple

The report acknowledges the tough relationship between Russia and Apple in recent years. According to the research report:

“Apple’s exit in Russia puts a close to the rocky relationship between the two entities. Notably, Russia has in the past enacted questionable policies for companies like Apple to comply with. Apple had only recently adhered with a government mandate to open offices in Russia to offer online services there.”

After Apple’s decision on Russia, the move has placed pressure on other brands like Samsung that have also stopped shipping products to the country.

Consequently, the exit by the two manufacturers might be a window of expansion for Chinese operators that are likely to stay put. However, such firms might suffer the impact of any follow-up sanctions that can bar companies from operating in Russia using U.S. origin technology.

Read the full story with statistics here: https://www.burga.com/blogs/news/apple-to-lose-3-million-in-iphone-sales-daily-amid-russia-market-pull-out

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Google has paused all ad sales in Russia in response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

“In light of the extraordinary circumstances, we’re pausing Google ads in Russia,” a Google spokesperson told The Verge. “The situation is evolving quickly, and we will continue to share updates when appropriate.”

It’s difficult to say what financial losses the company will incur as a result, but the move shows how the online world has become a subsidiary battleground between Russia and the West following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The pause by Google follows similar blanket bans on ads in Russia enacted by Twitter and Snapchat. Google also previously blocked Russian state media like Russia Today from monetizing their websites and YouTube channels using the company’s adtech. Small bans and blocks like this have been accumulating over the past week, and are slowly forming something of a digital iron curtain between Russia and the West.

Regarding this latest news, a Google spokesperson told The Verge: “In light of the extraordinary circumstances, we’re pausing Google ads in Russia. The situation is evolving quickly, and we will continue to share updates when appropriate.”

The move comes after Google itself was criticized by Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor for running ads about the war in Ukraine. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, Roskomnadzor said ads on Google’s platforms were targeting Russian viewers and “aimed at creating a distorted perception of current events.” Roskomnadzor said the ads spread “false political information” and could incite protest.

The communications watchdog has been actively blocking any media that contradicts the official state narrative. It recently blocked access to BBC News websites, for example, after the UK broadcaster resurrected WWII-era shortwave radio bulletins in order to reach listeners in Russia and Ukraine.

Source: Verge

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