Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

Syrian Electronic Army hacks Sky Android apps and Help Team Twitter account

By Dominic Ponsford

Sky news and sport Android apps for smartphones and tablet computers were hacked at the weekend by the Syrian Electronic Army.

The Sky Help Team warned users via Twitter: “All Sky’s Android apps were hacked and replaced…please uninstall it, And we will let you know when it will be available.”

But according to Digital Spy, a Sky spokesperson has said that this Twitter message was itself a result of the Twitter account being hacked.

The hacking group posted its logo and the words "Syrian Electronic Army was here" on each affected app’s page on Google Play.

As of this morning the Sky Help Team Twitter page is still showing the spoof messages.

Several Sky apps have been taken down from Google Play while the company tackles the situation.

The Syrian Electronic Army claims to support President BAshar al-Assad and has hacked numerous media organisation Twitter accounts in recent months.

Last week the group hacked the Financial Times’ own blog, posting a message saying: ‘Syrian Electronic Army Was Here’. It also hacked various FT Twitter accounts.

Previously the group has hacked Twitter accounts run by The Guardian, BBC, Sky News and AP.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Websites in our network