Ransomware group leaks stolen Berlin state data

A ransomware group has made public data it had previously stolen from Berlin state agencies, according to German radio reports on Friday. The hackers had demanded a ransom in exchange for not releasing the information, but authorities in the German capital said they would not give in to extortion.

The publication of the data marks an escalation in the cyberattack, which targeted multiple state institutions. Officials have not disclosed the exact nature or volume of the leaked information, nor the specific agencies affected.

Berlin's administration has maintained a firm stance against paying cybercriminals, a position consistent with broader German government policy. The incident underscores the growing threat of ransomware attacks on public infrastructure and the difficult choices faced by authorities when data is held hostage.

Investigations are ongoing, and cybersecurity experts are likely to assess the impact of the leak. The full extent of the data exposure remains unclear at this stage.