Iran hacks refrigerators in France, according to Paris
France formally attributes a series of cyberattacks against connected equipment in large-scale retail to Iran. The foreign affairs minister has denounced a growing "hybrid threat".
Cybercrime: Iran accused of massive hacking in France
On 9 November, French foreign affairs minister Jean-Noël Barrot formally attributed to Teheran responsibility for hacking hundreds of connected refrigerators operated by large-scale retail chains in France. Public accusation against a foreign state remains exceptional in this domain.
According to Le Nouvel Obs, this offensive is part of a context of growing "digital interference" against France over recent months. The attacks affected refrigeration installations at several hundred sales outlets of various retailers, notably in Côtes-d'Armor on 12 October 2026.
Paris qualifies this activity as a "hybrid threat" — a modern form of conflict without recourse to conventional weapons. France's previous public accusations against foreign actors have targeted Russia, notably the hacker group APT28, known as Fancy Bear, responsible for the leak of Élysée documents in 2017. This publication of attributions represents a rare decision at presidential level, reveals the French newspaper.
Source: Le Nouvel Obs