France faces massive data breaches with 80% of citizens' info on darknet

Approximately 80% of French citizens have personal data available for sale on the darknet following widespread cyberattacks. General André Petillot of the Gendarmerie reported that information circulating in leaked databases includes names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and sensitive details such as social security or medical numbers.

France has emerged as a major target for cybercriminals. According to a study by cybersecurity firm Surfshark, France was identified as the most affected European country regarding data leaks, with 43.4 million accounts compromised in the first half of 2026—a 62% increase from the previous period. Experts note that only the United States has recorded a higher number of leaks.

These breaches often stem from attacks on public organizations, private companies, and online services. Recent targets include the CAF, France Travail, and the tax administration. The stolen data is frequently used to fuel various frauds, including fake loan applications and scams. In one instance, stolen files from the French Shooting Federation were used by criminals to locate members' homes for burglaries.