In a tsunami of data leaks, French society remains vulnerable and authorities powerless
France faced 6,167 data breaches in 2024, a 10% rise from 2023, with half caused by hacking and 80 breaches exposing over one million people each, according to the CNIL. Authorities report an explosion in cybercrime investigations, with government agencies, private firms, and health insurers among the hardest-hit sectors.
France experienced a surge in data breaches in 2024, with the National Commission for Information Technology and Civil Liberties (CNIL) reporting 6,167 incidents—a 10% increase from the previous year. Half of these breaches resulted from hacking, and 80 affected at least one million people each over the past two years. The CNIL’s findings highlight widespread vulnerability across sectors, including government bodies like the Interior and Economy Ministries, the National Agency for Secured Documents, and private entities such as phone provider Free and supermarket chain Auchan. Private health insurers and labor unions were also targeted. Deputy prosecutor Johanna Brousse, head of the cybercrime unit at the Paris prosecutor’s office, confirmed an 'explosion' in breach investigations, with cases rising to as many as 10 per week. The CNIL now reports major breaches directly to her unit, underscoring the scale of the crisis. Experts warn that 2025 could surpass previous records, as cyberattacks grow in both frequency and severity. The trend reflects broader global challenges in cybersecurity, with France’s public and private sectors struggling to mitigate risks.
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