The French government’s Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés (ANTS) has confirmed a significant data breach affecting millions of citizens. The stolen information includes personal details such as names, dates and places of birth, addresses, and phone numbers.

First detected on April 15, ANTS announced the breach on April 20, with reports suggesting up to 19 million records may have been compromised. A hacker advertised these details in a hacking forum, claiming possession of this extensive database.

The investigation into how the breach occurred and its exact impact is still ongoing. Affected individuals are being notified by ANTS, which manages identity documents including national IDs, passports, and immigration papers.

While the specifics of those affected remain unclear, the scale of the data breach raises concerns about cybersecurity measures in government agencies handling sensitive personal information.