Hackers Leak Data of 6.4 Million Bouygues Telecom Customers in Latest Data Breach - marking the second such incident for French telecoms operators within a month.
Bouygues Telecom, France's third-largest phone carrier, has confirmed a data breach, becoming the latest French telecoms company to be affected. The company detected the cyberattack on August 4, 2025, and swift measures were taken to stop it and strengthen security.
The breach exposed contact details, contractual data, civil status data, and company data for business customers, as well as International Bank Account Numbers (IBANs). However, bank card numbers and passwords were not affected. Service disruptions are likely as Bouygues Telecom works to fix the issue.
The identity of the hackers responsible for this breach is unknown, but the attack resembles global telecom breaches linked to the China-associated Salt Typhoon APT group. Orange, another French telecom giant, experienced a similar breach earlier in July. However, there is no confirmed evidence linking the responsible parties or indicating a direct connection between the two breaches.
Bouygues Telecom is in the process of contacting those affected by the breach and has notified France's data protection authority, the CNIL, and the national cybersecurity agency, ANSSI, about the incident. The company prioritizes protecting its customers' data and is constantly evolving its security procedures to address the changing tactics of attackers.
Customers are advised to be vigilant for fraudulent emails or calls and not to share usernames and passwords. They are also warned to check withdrawals and be wary of phishing attempts citing their bank and account number, as well as calls from fake bank advisors.
Cyber attacks are common and affect any company, regardless of security measures, as Bouygues Telecom stated. Similar attacks on US phone providers have been attributed to the China-linked Salt Typhoon hacking group. ANSSI issued a warning earlier this year that the telecoms sector is under an 'intense' threat.
As the investigation continues, Bouygues Telecom will provide updates to its customers and work diligently to ensure the security of their data. Customers are encouraged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
Cybersecurity experts are investigating the data breach at Bouygues Telecom, with similar incidents linked to the China-associated Salt Typhoon APT group, to determine the cause and identify the hackers responsible. The cybersecurity incident highlighted the need for constant evolution of security procedures in the face of changing tactics of attackers, as emphasized by Bouygues Telecom. In the general-news sphere, this breach serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cybersecurity and crime-and-justice issues in the era of advancing technology.
