Victims lose €740 on average as a result of personal data breaches

The French data protection authority, the CNIL, has published a study examining the material damages and behavioural impacts suffered by victims of personal data breaches. Based on a survey of 2,082 French people, the study found that incidents involving the unauthorised use of personal data are frequent, with 41% of respondents having experienced fraudulent use of their data.

Among the victims, 21% suffered financial loss, with the average reported loss across all cases being €740. Identity fraud resulted in the highest average loss, at €915. The CNIL concluded that poorly protected personal data leads to real economic harm.

Beyond financial costs, the study revealed that the nature of cyber risk generates behavioural biases that impede the development of a resilient ecosystem. The most frequent reaction among victims 67% is a change in behaviour to reduce perceived risk, while 57% of those harmed in the last three years stopped using a digital service out of fear of misuse. Overall, the CNIL concludes that cybercrime fosters a climate of mistrust, hindering online commerce and amplifying its impact on the digital economy.

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