The illegal supply of online games is exploding in France, warns the French online games association this week. A practice which is not without risks for your personal data.
This is a very rapidly growing phenomenon. The illegal supply of online games is exploding in France, according to the 2025 barometer of the French Online Games Association published this week. “There is a desire to deceive and it works since the numbers explode“, notes on franceinfo its president, Nicolas Béraud, while 82% of players on these sites do not know that they are illegal.
These games also present real dangers for your personal data, warns the CNIL, the National Commission for Informatics and Liberties, since by definition, when you play online, you are connected to the internet and therefore a potential target for hackers and their viruses.
Nearly 3 out of 4 French people play online almost daily
Forget the image of the young person locked in his room to play the console, we are all in this together! Whether on computer, console, or mobilenearly three out of four French people play video games almost daily and at all ages, according to a study carried out for the CNC, the National Cinema Center. And when they are illegal like an online casino or a pirated version of a popular game, you become vulnerable. Using them also means trusting the publishers, the creators of these games, who do not necessarily wish you well or simply do not protect your data.
What should you pay attention to when playing online?
To play safely, check that the personal data requested to register are really necessary to playsuch as access to your geolocation or your microphone. Choose a nickname and an avatar that is far from your identity. Also use an email address specially created to play online, advise the CNIL, the National Commission for Information Technology and Liberties. In the event of a hack, the impact of the attack will be limited and other sensitive data in your email account will be protected.
Avoid saving your bank detailseven if it is very practical when you make micro-payments to improve the gaming experience and buy accessories for your character, for example. You don’t know how the game publisher secures them and even big companies are vulnerable.
Finally, don’t let your child play a game that is not age-appropriate. Once connected, he will be in contact with adults capable of extracting sensitive information from him without him realizing the consequences. And in the worst case, being faced with Grooming, sor when child criminals pretend to be children to ask them for photos.
