The darknet is a part of the internet that requires special software to access and is often used for illegal activities. According to a senior official from the French gendarmerie, General André Petillot, the personal data of nearly 80% of French citizens is for sale on this hidden network. Speaking at the Mediterranean Strategic Meetings in Toulon, he noted that the data available varies in sensitivity, with some individuals having their addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and even health information exposed. Such data can be exploited for fraudulent activities, including creating fake loan applications or carrying out scams. France has become a prime target for cyberattacks, as highlighted by a recent study from the cybersecurity firm Surfshark. Published in July, the study ranked France as the most affected country in Europe by data breaches, with 43.4 million accounts compromised in the first half of 2026. This represents a rise of over 62% compared to the second half of 2025. Karim Hamia, a cybersecurity expert from Check Point Software Technologies, told AFP in August that France is second only to the United States in the number of data leaks it experiences. Recent months have seen several high-profile data breaches involving public institutions, raising concerns about the security of personal information. One notable case was the hacking of the French tax office, which led to a significant data leak. Other breaches, such as the one targeting the French Shooting Federation, have had serious consequences, allegedly allowing criminals to track down and break into the homes of shooters to steal firearms. These incidents have underscored the vulnerabilities in France's digital defenses. Hugues Foulon, director general of Orange Cyberdefense, emphasized the growing pace of cyber threats during a conference with General Petillot. He warned that public infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the rapid evolution of cyberattacks. As the frequency and severity of these incidents continue to rise, the need for stronger cybersecurity measures becomes increasingly urgent.