Cyber Attack Targets French Tax System, 678,000 Users Affected

Illustration of perentasan (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The Paris Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into a cyber attack on the French tax administration platform that affected around 678,000 users, both individuals and companies.

As reported by Anadolu, Sunday, August 16, the investigation was carried out by the French Anti-Cybercrime Office (Ofac), based on a report by broadcaster BFMTV.

The investigation includes alleged illegal data extraction stored in the state's automated personal data processing system.

In addition, investigators are investigating allegations of illegal access and unauthorized presence in an automated data processing system that is organized. The case also includes allegations of involvement in a criminal group formed to prepare criminal acts that can be punished with at least five years in prison.

The French tax administration said the attack allowed hackers to access information on taxpayers and companies. Authorities said this attack was more sophisticated than previous cyber attacks.

The Director General of Public Finance of France, Amélie Verdier, said that the personal data that was successfully accessed included names, family quotient information or factors used in tax calculations based on family conditions, reference tax income, and tax deduction rates.

However, tax authorities confirmed that the stolen data cannot be used to access user secure accounts on the official website of the French tax administration, impots.gouv.fr.

Users who are affected are expected to be contacted next week. They will receive a notification about the potential risk of identity theft as a result of the data leak.

Meanwhile, the data of the stolen companies are considered to have a lower level of sensitivity. The information includes the company's identification number as well as the company's address and its representatives.

The French government is now continuing to investigate to identify the perpetrators and ensure the extent to which data stored in the tax administration system has been accessed or taken.