Cloud account breach exposing private images in France

Why this happens

Cloud account credentials are commonly compromised through phishing, password reuse on breached sites, and SIM swap attacks. Two factor authentication via SMS provides only partial protection against modern attackers.

Once inside, attackers commonly download the full photo library before exiting. The original account compromise may have occurred weeks before the content surfaces online.

Legal framework in France

Code pénal article 226-2-1 (atteinte à l'intimité de la vie privée à caractère sexuel). Up to 2 years imprisonment and €60,000 fine.

France's 2016 digital law inserted article 226-2-1 into the Penal Code, criminalising the distribution of sexually intimate content without consent regardless of whether the image was originally captured with consent. The 3018 helpline serves all victims of online violence and Pharos is the official report platform.

Evidence to preserve

• Cloud account access logs showing the unauthorized access dates and IP addresses
• The full list of devices and locations that have accessed the account
• Any password change notifications, recovery emails, or security alerts received
• Full page screenshot of every URL where the leaked content has appeared

Do not: Do not change passwords before the access logs are preserved. Account log retention is limited and changing the password may trigger log rotation that erases the intrusion evidence.

Five step removal process

1. 1

   Preserve all evidence first

   Cloud account access logs showing the unauthorized access dates and IP addresses. The full list of devices and locations that have accessed the account.

2. 2

   File the Article 226-2-1 Code pénal criminal complaint

   Report to local police or the national cybercrime unit. Plateforme PHAROS / 3018 can assist.

3. 3

   Submit an erasure request under GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) plus Loi Informatique et Libertés

   Each major platform has a designated data protection contact. The request must cite the legal basis and identify the URLs. The platform has 30 days to respond. CNIL accepts complaints for non compliance.

4. 4

   Run a biometric scan to find every additional copy

   Content posted to one platform is rarely confined to one platform. ScanErase identifies every current hosting location in a single scan, including mirror copies and AI generated variants.

5. 5

   File TAKE IT DOWN Act notices for covered platforms

   Use your scan report to file the federal 48 hour notice yourself, in parallel with your domestic rights. The two regimes are cumulative, not exclusive.

Statutory citations to include in your complaint

• Code pénal article 226-2-1 (atteinte à l'intimité de la vie privée à caractère sexuel)
• GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) plus Loi Informatique et Libertés
• US TAKE IT DOWN Act for any covered platform
• 18 USC 1030 Computer Fraud and Abuse Act for the original account compromise
• Civil claims against the cloud provider if negligent security contributed to the breach