Bloomberg: Merkel Warned of Wirecard Link in Cell-Phone Software

A press review featuring Fabio De Masi

Apr 23rd, 2021

Bloomberg: Merkel Warned of Wirecard Link in Cell-Phone Software

 

 

"The German government must ensure its communications systems are secure following the emergence of a link between a provider of encryption services and the fugitive former Wirecard AG executive Jan Marsalek, according to lawmakers.

At a parliamentary hearing Friday into the 2020 collapse of the payments company, Fabio de Masi, a lawmaker from left-wing party Die Linke, said that the main shareholder in software company Virtual Solution AG has a connection with Marsalek, citing an unnamed aide to the former Wirecard executive.

De Masi asked Chancellor Angela Merkel if she was aware of the use of software by Virtual Solution in government communication devices -- including her own -- and of a link between the company and Marsalek. “I’m not familiar with Virtual Solution; I do have such a phone,” she said. (...)

Finance Minister Olaf Scholz was challenged by lawmakers on Thursday over a potential security risk he may have caused by sending emails related to Wirecard from a personal account. He responded to de Masi’s allegations regarding Virtual Solution by saying the information “can’t be ignored.” (...)"