Brussels Playbook Podcast: "How secure are the Commission’s group chats?"

Date: April 2, 2026 | Host: Zoya Sheftalovich (POLITICO)
Guest: Ian Wishart, Senior EU Politics Editor

Episode Overview

This episode explores the rising security concerns surrounding the European Commission’s use of encrypted messaging apps like Signal, as the EU grapples with increasing cyber threats and election interference across member states. The hosts also discuss Bulgaria's extraordinary plea to Brussels for help in combating foreign interference ahead of its upcoming national election, and touch on football’s surprising political fallout in Italy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bulgaria’s Request for EU Help to Counter Election Interference

• Background (01:25):

  • Bulgaria faces its eighth election in five years—public fatigue is high.
  • The Foreign Ministry in Sofia has preemptively asked the EU for support in countering potential disinformation and foreign interference, particularly from Russia.

• Election Landscape (02:18):

  • Main contenders:
    • Boyko Borisov: Center-right, known in Brussels, hawkish on Russia.
    • Ruman Radev: Independent, backed by socialists, cautious on Ukraine, pushing anti-corruption, slightly more open to Russia.
  • Radev is ahead in the polls with an anti-corruption message (03:00).

• Precedents and Fears (03:28 – 04:01):

  • Bulgaria references Moldova’s and Romania’s recent elections, where interference and social media manipulation—sometimes via TikTok ads—played a decisive role.
  • A study by the Bulgarian Center for the Study of Democracy warns Bulgaria is "one of the most permissive information environments for manipulation in the EU."

• Commission’s Response (04:21):

  • Bulgaria activates the rapid response system under the Digital Services Act, prompting the EU Commission to bring together tech giants (Meta, Google, TikTok) to monitor and disrupt disinformation in real time.

Notable Quote:

"The Foreign Ministry and Sofia has asked the EU to help basically deal with potential attacks of disinformation, misinformation. ...They're concerned about interference, mainly, really, from Russia." — Zoya Sheftalovich [01:53]

2. Social Media & Disinformation: The EU’s Ongoing Battle

• Changing Threats (04:47 – 05:23):

  • Disinformation campaigns increasingly sway public opinion, especially in Eastern Europe.
  • Social media often lacks the editorial standards expected in traditional media—making it vulnerable to manipulation.

• Sophisticated Adversaries (05:23 – 05:57):

  • Russian and sometimes Chinese influence operations have been documented from the Philippines to Ukraine.
  • The concern is not only over rogue actors but well-resourced, coordinated cyber operations.

Notable Quote:

"Some of the allegations are actually, this is very coordinated and very sophisticated by Russia." — Ian Wishart [05:23]

3. The Commission Signal Group Shutdown: A Lesson in Digital Vulnerability

• Incident Details (06:12 – 07:00):

  • At least one senior Commission Signal group chat was abruptly closed due to fears of possible interception.
  • No evidence of compromise, but new phishing attempts were reported—targeted text messages asking for users’ Signal PIN codes to hijack accounts.
  • Ongoing cyberattacks on the European Commission have heightened fears (09:25).

• Risks of Messaging Apps (07:31 – 08:26):

  • Even secure-by-design apps are vulnerable if users are ‘phished’ into sharing credentials.
  • Large group chats pose risks: accidental outsider addition, recycled phone numbers, potential leaks (notably, U.S. "SignalGate" with accidental high-level group access).

• Commission’s Response (09:40 – 10:36):

  • Cybersecurity assessments underway.
  • Official advice: minimize use of messaging apps, replace devices regularly, review group memberships, educate staff against phishing.
  • Recognition that personal mobile numbers possibly leaked in prior cyberattacks may be used in these new targeted attempts.

Notable Quote:

"The content is irrelevant, actually, because it shows just what's possible." — Ian Wishart [06:31]

"The more you use these apps, particularly large groups of people using these apps, it's easy to add the wrong person or someone gets a new phone number and all of a sudden you've got some random in your group." — Zoya Sheftalovich [08:08]

"But it really is a huge kind of deal, because every official out there could be susceptible to these sorts of phishing attempts." — Zoya Sheftalovich [10:31]

4. Football and National Identity: Italy’s World Cup Woes

• Sports Meets Politics (10:36 – 12:14):
  • Italy fails to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the third consecutive time—national outrage spills over into parliament.
  • Politicians demand answers from the sports minister; failure in football perceived as symbolic of larger governmental failings.

Notable Moment:

"It was the first question raised yesterday morning in the Italian Parliament. What are you going to do about the state of our football team?" — Ian Wishart [11:16]

"Is it just to make them less shit?" — Zoya Sheftalovich [11:39]

"It's such a big cultural thing, isn't it? In Italy, if the football team is failing, then you feel your country is failing. You feel your politicians are failing." — Ian Wishart [11:46]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Information Warfare:

  “It's basically really the wild, wild west out there and the Commission is trying to do something about it.” — Zoya Sheftalovich [05:03]

• On Security Risks:

  "We don't know exactly who, but, you know, we can have some guesses and they start with R and end in shah." — Zoya Sheftalovich [06:44]

• On Messaging Habits:

  “In the old days, you would just come and speak, you know, in the corridor or have a chat in the pub. And this. It's the same thing using technology, and that's where people fall foul of it.” — Ian Wishart [08:06]

Important Timestamps

• Bulgaria requests EU help on election interference: [01:43 – 04:21]
• Romanian TikTok election surprise anecdote: [03:45 – 04:01]
• Bulgaria’s rapid response request, DSA activation: [04:21 – 04:47]
• Disinformation and social media manipulation: [05:03 – 05:57]
• Commission Signal group security incident: [06:12 – 09:25]
• Commission's cyber hygiene response: [09:40 – 10:36]
• Italy’s football disaster and its politicization: [10:36 – 12:14]

Summary Table

| Segment | Topic | Notable Quotes | Timestamps | |------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------| | Bulgaria's Elections | EU support requested against Russian interference | "They're concerned about interference, mainly...from Russia."| 01:43-04:21 | | Disinformation | Social Media & Editoriallessness | "It's the wild, wild west out there..." | 05:03-05:57 | | Signal Security | Commission staff targeted; group chat closed | "The content is irrelevant, actually..." | 06:31-10:36 | | Football in Politics | Italy's WC failure; Parliament uproar | "What are you going to do about the state of our football team?" | 10:36-12:14 |

Final Thoughts

The episode underscores the EU’s acute vulnerability to digital threats—be it state-backed disinformation disrupting democratic processes or sophisticated cyber-attacks challenging even “secure” communication platforms. The hosts’ conversational tone and lived-in knowledge of EU politics bring clarity and urgency to these complex issues, while the football coda illustrates how tightly national identity, politics, and sport are woven together in Europe.

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