France's 'Mega-Database' Halted for Data Breach Fears

Justice Minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas, the database's initial proponent.
Justice Minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas, the database's proponent back in 2012.  Getty Images

France's so-called "mega-database" holding biometric data of over 60 million people was recently questioned and data collection operations were also ceased.

The single mega-database, aptly named Secure Electronic Documents (Titres électroniques sécurisés or TES), was set up to fight against fraud and to increase the capability and efficiency of authorities to catch criminals.

According to France's Interior Ministry, personal information including name, address, marital status, eye color, weight, photograph, fingerprints, passports and national ID cards will be collected and stored.

Justice Minister Jean-Jacques Urvoas, the database's initial proponent, says that TES works just like a regular administrative registry. Data cannot be accessed any time by anyone unless there is a legal need for it.

But now, the database's initial proponent is also its biggest challenger.

Urvoas laid out the concept back in 2012 to be a multi-dimensional and multi-local database which every county, city and municipality can update. The multi-locality concept has then been scrapped, and the move to a single mega-database system is what Urvoas opposes.

He says that the move to a single database makes data highly vulnerable to hacks and breaches.

Others have shared the same sentiment.

According to CNNum (Conseil National du Numérique), France's digital watchdog, a single database would create a "target of inestimable value" that can unsurprisingly be a day-and-night goal to breach by many hackers.

Especially with France's on-going struggle with public safety, and the country on High Alert on travel advisories due to "ongoing threats to France by Islamist terrorist groups.. and recent French military intervention against Daesh," the timing cannot be less than vulnerable to people taking an interest in intercepting France's database.

The European Convention on Human Rights and a French senator have also expressed their concerns with protecting and respecting people's privacy. As the senator goes, TES is a "time bomb for public freedoms."

If France's TES gets approved, the database will be open to around 10,000 government staff who can have regular access to it.

The data breach threat is far from hearsay as early this year, Turkey became a witness to a massive public outcry when personal details of almost 50 million people were hacked. Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag went to confirm that the number of hacked accounts is comparable to the number of registered voters in the country. Details hacked include names, addresses, ID numbers and contact details.

The U.S. was not exempt as well. Back in 2015, U.S. government networks were breached and over 5.6 million fingerprint records were stolen from the Office of Personal Management (OPM). Along with biometrics, names, addresses, medical data, financial data, ID details, and social security numbers were stolen. 

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.