The PvdA has filed a report because of persistent cyber attacks on the party’s website. As a result of the attacks, Dutch people abroad could no longer visit the website.
The site of MEP Kati Piri was also shut down several times. The former Turkey rapporteur has written critical reports about the country. She is fifth on the PvdA list for the parliamentary elections.
According to a spokesperson, the attacks were announced via a Turkish Twitter account. The party therefore suspects that Turkish hackers are behind the attacks.
‘Let’s not shut up’
“The fact that during election time we are probably the victims of interference from Turkish hackers is worrisome and very annoying,” said the PvdA. “But no attack will let the PvdA stand up less loudly for people in Turkey who are committed to democracy, the rule of law and human rights. We will not let ourselves be silenced.”
Both websites were the target of a DDoS attack. In such an attack, a site is bombarded with large amounts of data traffic, causing the server to become overloaded and the website to be difficult or impossible to reach.
The party has tightened security around the website. “We already had the security in order, but there is not much you can do against such a major attack. But we are now successful, the website is up and running.”
Foreign opinion
Outgoing minister Kajsa Ollongren tells De Telegraaf that the National Cyber Security Center is ready to help the PvdA. “It is very important that all political parties can do their normal things in the campaign and that there are no disruptions, even via the digital route,” said the Minister of the Interior.
“I have always been alert to the possibility of foreign interference. This is one way that can happen.
–
