The Security Intelligence Service (Serviço de Informações de Segurança or SIS) has issued an alert regarding a foreign state campaign targeting WhatsApp and Signal accounts. The operation uses social engineering and AI-generated content to trick government officials, diplomats, and military personnel into compromising their data. Residents should be cautious of unsolicited messages or unusual requests for account verification codes.
Intelligence service warns of foreign state cyber-espionage campaign
Wednesday, 11 March 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Security Intelligence Service (Serviço de Informações de Segurança or SIS) is Portugal's internal intelligence agency responsible for protecting the state against espionage, terrorism, and cyber threats. It focuses on gathering and analyzing information and does not have police powers like the authority to make arrests. The agency recently issued a warning about foreign state-sponsored campaigns targeting the private messaging accounts of government and military personnel.
Sources (4)
- SIS warns of foreign state campaign to access government officials' dataRTP Notícias · 3:39pm, 11 Mar 2026
- Intelligence services warn of a cyber-espionage scheme by a foreign state targeting WhatsApp and Signal accountsDiário de Notícias · 5:38pm, 11 Mar 2026
- SIS issues alert: WhatsApp and Signal accounts are being attacked by a 'foreign state'Correio da Manhã · 5:03pm, 11 Mar 2026
- Foreign state ‘trying to access WhatsApp/ Signal accounts of MPs, diplomats and militaryPortugal Resident · 4:22pm, 11 Mar 2026



