Abuse of authority case by French tax authorities — Data leak by former employee charged with aiding and abetting a crime

A serious abuse of power has been uncovered within the French tax authorities. Former tax official Ms. Galia C. is suspected of abusing her access rights to a confidential database, leading to the leak of personal information of numerous individuals, including cryptocurrency investors. She has been charged with multiple serious crimes such as aiding and abetting criminal activity and is currently appealing. The leaked information includes location data and capital gains information, raising concerns about the physical safety risks to the victims.

Data Leak of Confidential Tax Information and Targeting Cryptocurrency Investors

Investigations have revealed that Ms. Galia C. deliberately exploited her authority to collect detailed information on potential targets from the tax database, including cryptocurrency holders. She may have leaked valuable data such as victims’ locations and capital gains information to external parties. In reports from mid-January, PANews cited Cryptopolitan’s coverage, emphasizing the seriousness of this incident.

The reason why cryptocurrency holders became targets of such data leaks is that they tend to hold relatively large assets and are more vulnerable to online scams and physical threats. The leakage of personal information from a trusted institution like the tax authorities significantly increases the victims’ vulnerability.

Abuse of Power and Aiding Criminal Activities — The Judicial System’s Challenge

The most serious accusation against the former employee is not merely data leakage but her actions being recognized as aiding and abetting organized crime. The information she collected and leaked is believed to have been intentionally used in crimes targeting cryptocurrency investors. This has led to the application of charges for aiding and abetting criminal activity.

Although no actual attack plan has been uncovered, this incident highlights the risk that the tax administration system itself could become a source of data breaches. Abuse of power by public officials, linked to organized crime, undermines trust in the entire judicial system.

Strengthening Cryptocurrency Regulations in Europe and Emerging Security Challenges

European tax authorities have been rapidly intensifying their monitoring of cryptocurrency assets in recent years. As governments pursue identity verification and asset tracking of investors, the concentration of such data within administrative agencies creates new security threats. The Galia C. incident exemplifies how unforeseen dangers can emerge during regulatory tightening.

If data leaks expose holders to greater security risks, cryptocurrency users will face a dilemma between trusting government agencies and protecting their personal information. Strengthening data protection measures and ensuring transparency are becoming urgent issues moving forward.