Just weeks after a cyberattack on SFR that compromised sensitive customer data, another major French telecom operator, Free, is facing a similar problem. The hacker claims to have stolen the personal and banking information of millions of Free subscribers, and the stolen data has reportedly been put up for sale on the “dark web”.
This alarming news comes after ethical hacker SaxX leaked details on the X website (formerly Twitter), as reported by Presse-Citron. According to SaxX, the cybercriminal behind the attack is attempting to sell more than 43 gigabytes of sensitive data, which includes personal details such as names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and Freebox user IDs for millions of Free subscribers.
What’s even more alarming is that the hacker also claims to have obtained the banking details (including IBAN numbers) of over 5.11 million Free customers. This second batch of data is being sold separately and poses a significant risk to those affected. While the hacker has yet to announce a price, the deal is reportedly being done via an escrow agreement – a method used on the dark web to ensure a secure exchange between buyer and seller, with the transaction being handled by a third-party intermediary.
