Xavier Niel, a well-known French entrepreneur and founder of the Iliad telecommunications group, has reportedly submitted a bid to purchase the magazine 60 Millions de Consommateurs, which the French government has put up for sale. This follows the 2026 finance law, which mandated the liquidation of the National Consumer Institute (INC), a public organization responsible for publishing the magazine. The law also allowed for the magazine to be sold to a private entity, marking a significant shift in its ownership and funding model. In March, a decree was published outlining a nine-month period for the appointment of a liquidator to oversee the winding down of the INC. This was followed by an additional three-month extension, which could be renewed if necessary, to find a buyer for the magazine. Despite financial difficulties in 2024, when the INC reported a deficit of 719,000 euros, the organization returned to profitability in 2025. According to Lionel Maugain, a journalist with the magazine, the INC achieved a profit of 236,000 euros in 2025, with a total turnover of 11.9 million euros. 60 Millions de Consommateurs remains a significant publication, with more than 71,000 subscribers and approximately 20,000 copies sold in kiosks per issue in 2025. The magazine is known for its in-depth consumer reports and product testing, making it a trusted source of information for French readers. However, the transition from a public institution to a private entity has raised concerns among the magazine's journalists. At the beginning of summer, the journalists of 60 Millions de Consommateurs expressed frustration over what they described as "the greatest ambiguity" surrounding the magazine's future. They felt uncertain about their roles and the direction of the publication. The journalists called on Minister of Commerce Serge Papin to clarify the acquisition plans and ensure transparency in the process. Their concerns reflect the broader anxieties about the magazine’s transformation and the potential impact on its editorial independence and public service mission.