The French Ministry of Economy stated on Wednesday that a hacker managed to access a national database of bank accounts and view information concerning 1.2 million accounts.
A statement from the ministry explained that the hacker, at the end of January, used stolen credentials of an official to access “parts of a file containing all accounts opened in French banks, including personal data such as bank account numbers, the account holder’s name, address, and in some cases the account holder’s tax identification number.”
“Does Not Allow Viewing of Bank Account Balances”
The Directorate General of Public Finances indicated that access to the database “does not allow viewing of bank account balances, nor conducting any transactions.” The ministry noted that as soon as this unauthorized access was detected, immediate measures were taken to disrupt the hacker’s activities and prevent data exfiltration.
It was announced that affected account holders will receive notifications in the coming days, adding that a criminal complaint has been filed and the National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL), the authority responsible for data protection, has been informed.
France
France is a Western European nation with a rich history dating back to ancient Gaul, later evolving into a powerful monarchy and then a republic following the 1789 Revolution. It is globally renowned for its cultural influence in art, cuisine, and philosophy, and is home to iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles.
French Ministry of Economy
The French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty is a key government department responsible for national economic policy, public finances, and industry. Its origins trace back to 1561 with the creation of the role of Controller-General of Finances under the Ancien Régime, evolving through various historical forms to its modern structure. Today, it is headquartered in Bercy, Paris, and plays a central role in shaping France’s fiscal and economic strategy.
Directorate General of Public Finances
The Directorate General of Public Finances (DGFiP) is a key French government agency responsible for managing public revenue, including tax collection and state accounting. Its origins trace back to the late 18th century, evolving from the *Régie générale des impôts* and the *Trésor public* to become a unified modern administration in 2008. It plays a central role in funding the state budget and implementing the government’s fiscal policy.
National Commission on Informatics and Liberty
The National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL) is France’s independent administrative authority responsible for ensuring data privacy and protection. It was established in 1978, partly in response to public concern over a centralized personal data project, making it one of the world’s oldest data protection regulators. Its mission is to enforce compliance with data protection laws, guide organizations, and protect citizens’ digital rights.
CNIL
The CNIL (Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés) is the independent French data protection authority, established by the Data Protection Act of 1978. It was created in response to growing public concern over personal data security, particularly following a controversial national census project. Its mission is to ensure data privacy laws are applied, protect citizens’ rights, and serve as a regulatory body in the digital age.
