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France tax hack: 18-year-old suspect detained in Zerobytes data breach
An 18-year-old suspect has been placed in pre-trial detention in Paris following a massive cyberattack on the French tax administration (DGFiP). The suspect is linked to the hacking group Zerobytes, which claimed responsibility for stealing the personal and fiscal data of approximately 678,000 individuals and businesses during intrusions in late June and July.
A second suspect, under the age of 16, was also detained but has since been released. Investigators are currently analyzing seized computer equipment. The 18-year-old suspect, who has a prior criminal record for cyberattacks, faces potential charges including organized criminal association and fraudulent data extraction, carrying a possible 10-year prison sentence and a 300,000 euro fine.
The breach has had high-level political implications; French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed he was among those whose data was compromised. In response to the incident, the French government has initiated a 200 million euro plan to bolster the security of state information systems. Meanwhile, a collective of victims has launched a class-action lawsuit against the state seeking damages for the security failures.
Entities
Direction Générale des Finances Publiques · France · Jean-Noël Barrot · Paris prosecutor's office · ZeroBytes
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The 18-year-old suspect faces up to 10 years in prison and a 300,000 euro fine. fr.news.yahoo.com · www.notretemps.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A collective of victims has filed a class action against the French state. www.huffingtonpost.fr
- [● 8 SOURCES] The Zerobytes hacking group stole data from at least 678,000 taxpayers. fr.news.yahoo.com · fr.euronews.com · information.tv5monde.com · www.notretemps.com · www.macg.co · +3 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The Paris prosecutor's office announced the detention of an 18-year-old suspect. fr.news.yahoo.com · fr.euronews.com · information.tv5monde.com · www.notretemps.com · www.tf1info.fr · +1 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] A second suspect under the age of 16 was taken into custody and later released. fr.news.yahoo.com · fr.euronews.com · information.tv5monde.com · www.notretemps.com · www.tf1info.fr · +1 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] The hacking incidents occurred in late June and late July. fr.news.yahoo.com · fr.euronews.com · information.tv5monde.com · www.notretemps.com · www.tf1info.fr · +2 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The government has launched a 200 million euro plan to secure state information systems. fr.euronews.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed he was among the victims. www.macg.co · www.huffingtonpost.fr