What happened
The French news agency Agence France-Presse (AFP) was hit by a cyber attack that disrupted its content delivery infrastructure and file transfer systems.
AFP, which operates in multiple languages and employs over 2,400 people globally, has stated that while its core news coverage systems were unaffected, the attack impacted systems used for delivering real-time news feeds to its clients.
The breach involved unauthorized access to some clients’ FTP credentials, and AFP has urged its clients to reset their credentials to prevent further access. The motive for the attack remains unclear, though it could involve data theft, extortion, or disruption of operations.
AFP is working closely with the French National Agency for IT Systems Security (ANSSI) and law enforcement to investigate the incident and restore its systems.
While no direct link has been established, news agencies like AFP have previously been targets of state-sponsored attacks, particularly given France’s firm stance on international issues like the conflict in Ukraine.