Berlin’s Justice Senator Felor Badenberg has been the target of a cyberattack, resulting in the apparent compromise of data, including her digital calendar containing scheduled appointments and associated contacts. Sources indicate that personal data was also accessed.
The attack reportedly involved malicious emails disguised as correspondence from a senior representative of the Central Council of Jews in Germany. An employee within the Senator’s administration is believed to have clicked a link in an email addressed to Badenberg, leading to the infection of a computer with malware.
Initial investigations, as reported, suggest the involvement of a hacking group known as “Charming Kitten” allegedly operating on behalf of the Iranian regime. Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) issued a warning two years ago regarding this group’s concrete espionage attempts within Germany.
The Berlin Senate Department for Justice has confirmed the incident, stating that it appears to be a targeted cyberattack affecting a single computer within the Senator’s administrative leadership. Authorities were immediately notified, including the State Criminal Police Office, the Berlin Data Protection Commissioner and the BfV.
Senator Badenberg expressed concern regarding the security of her family and stated her belief that the attack originated from a state-sponsored actor. She described the attack as professionally prepared and initiated by a foreign intelligence service, suggesting an attempt to intimidate critical voices.
Badenberg was born in Iran and immigrated to Germany with her parents as a child. She previously worked for the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution for over a decade, ultimately serving as Vice President, before becoming Berlin’s Justice Senator in 2023.