Over One Million French Bank Accounts Illegally... | France in English
France suffers a major cyber breach affecting 1.2 million bank accounts amid its ranking as the second most vulnerable country ...
Key details
- • A malicious actor illegally accessed data from 1.2 million French bank accounts starting January 2026.
- • Immediate actions were taken and affected users will be individually notified.
- • In 2025, over 40.3 million French accounts were compromised, making France the second most vulnerable country after the U.S.
- • Telecommunications and finance sectors are the most targeted by cybercriminals in France due to AI and device connectivity.
- • Authorities reported 27 data breaches involving French data in February 2026, maintaining high alert levels.
Immediate measures have been implemented to restrict further unauthorized access, alongside a formal complaint lodged by the ministry. Affected individuals will soon receive personal notifications alerting them to the breach, while banks have been contacted to raise customer awareness and vigilance.
This incident unfolds against a broader backdrop of widespread cyber vulnerabilities in France. A 2025 study by VPN provider Surfshark exposed that over 40.3 million French accounts were compromised through data breaches and hacks, positioning France as the second most vulnerable country for cyberattacks, just after the United States. Particularly devastating was the second quarter of 2025, when 15.6 million accounts were breached.
Surfshark's research highlighted the telecommunications industry in France as the most targeted sector, followed by finance and IT, with the exponential growth of connected devices and the use of artificial intelligence by cybercriminals intensifying the threat landscape.
Tomas Stamulis from Surfshark emphasized the relentless nature of cybercrime, noting users must maintain vigilance year-round, especially during periods of high online activity such as Black Friday. France's cybersecurity challenges are underscored by a violation density twelve times higher than the global average, exposing systemic weaknesses.
With 27 breaches reported in February 2026 alone potentially affecting French data, authorities and institutions remain on high alert to counter ongoing risks. The recent massive illegal access to bank account data exemplifies the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity defenses in France.
