French cybercrime unit enlisted to remove leaked private data on Israeli athletes

PARIS — France’s cybercrime unit (OFAC) has been asked to remove leaked private data for several Israeli athletes competing in the Paris Olympic Games from social media, police sources say.

Data including blood test results and login credentials were published on Telegram on Friday in an apparent doxing cyberattack, the sources say. Doxxing is the malicious publication of private details online.

Hackers also leaked personal information revealing Israeli athletes’ military status on social media Thursday.

Pharos, a platform that reports unlawful content online, has called on France’s Anti-Cybercrime Office (OFAC) to remove the athletes’ details, says a source close to the case.

Israel on Thursday warned France of potential threats from Iran-backed groups against Israeli athletes and tourists during the Paris Olympic Games.

France has mounted a vast security operation to ensure the Olympics — which began Friday and end on August 11 — are safe.

Around 18,000 French troops have been deployed to secure the Games in addition to regular police.

In a statement Thursday, the Israeli embassy accused Iran of being behind a cyber-campaign to send social media threats to intimidate the Israeli delegation.