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How a Le Slip Français Purchase Exposed the Prime Minister’s Number Online
Even the Prime Minister is not immune to data leaks. According to Le Canard enchaîné, Sébastien Lecornu’s phone number is circulating online, and the source of the problem would be... an order placed on the Le Slip Français website. Here’s what we know.
I could have written this article so it would be published on Le Gorafi, but no, this information is very real. The October 7, 2026 edition of Le Canard enchaîné says the head of government’s number would be online, and he would not be the only one. "Des infos perso du chef du gouvernement sont parties dans les méandres d'internet", the weekly wrote. The information has been picked up by many media outlets, including Actu.fr.
The case reportedly dates back to 2024: this is important to note, because it is not a new security incident. At the time, Sébastien Lecornu was Minister of the Armed Forces... and he was also a customer of Le Slip Français, the French-made underwear brand. However, in April 2024, the company was hit by a cyberattack that led to the theft of customer data. A mess.
Le Slip Français: a look back at the 2024 breach
On April 13, 2024, an individual using the pseudonym ShopifyGUY announced on a cybercrime forum that a database linked to Le Slip Français had been put online. Then, on April 15, 2024, Le Slip Français acknowledged the data theft and subsequently informed its customers.
This data breach was then listed by the Have I Been Pwned service as of April 18, 2024. It affects 1.5 million email addresses, along with names, postal addresses, and phone numbers. The company specified that neither passwords nor bank card data were involved, and said it had filed a complaint and reported the incident to the CNIL.
A password can be changed. A personal phone number, much less so...
25 government members out of 36 affected
According to Le Canard enchaîné, Sébastien Lecornu is far from an isolated case: 25 of the 36 government members would have personal data accessible on the Internet. You’d think the ministers had a promo code for ordering from Le Slip Français, unless they’re hosting Tupperware parties around the theme.
More seriously, the newspaper cites several examples, and not all of them are linked to this data breach:
- Minister of the Armed Forces: his home address would be online, following the hacking of his optician.
- Minister for Digital Affairs: her social security number and bank details would reportedly be findable. Irony, much?
- Minister of Health: Stéphanie Rist’s professional login credentials would also be circulating.
This article is an opportunity to remind readers that stolen databases are resold, compiled, and cross-referenced. Taken on its own, a phone number seems harmless. Combined with a name, an address, and a purchase history, it becomes even more useful for launching targeted campaigns. And when it involves a government official, there is a real stakes issue.
If you were already a Le Slip Français customer in 2024, there is a good chance your contact details are in this database...
