Berlin is being blackmailed by hackers, mayor says

What the report says

Berlin’s mayor, Kai Wegner, said the German capital is being blackmailed by hackers after a cyber-attack earlier this month compromised city systems and exposed data. According to the BBC World News report, the city-state has refused to meet a ransom demand linked to the stolen information. Officials did not publicly confirm the amount, although German media cited a figure of 30 bitcoin. The attack disrupted some online services and forced parts of the city administration to close systems while investigators assessed what had been taken.

The reported cybercrime has been linked by the BBC to the Rhysida group, which investigators and security researchers have associated with attacks on government bodies and businesses in several countries. The group has said it plans to auction stolen Berlin data if its demands are not met. City officials said the first signs of a leak were found between 7 and 12 August, with two department networks shut down on 14 August, affecting applications for housing benefits and payments for several days.

Berlin authorities said further leaks were later identified in the transport and environment department. The mayor’s office said personal or other non-public data could also be among the compromised material. The case matters because it involves a major European capital, raises questions about public-sector cyber resilience, and comes shortly before city elections. State senator Iris Spranger said election systems had not been affected.