Privacy · Online safety · French law

What penalties can apply?

An overview of criminal liability under French law.

03 · Liability

What penalties can apply?

There is no single penalty for every situation described as doxxing. Consequences depend on the facts established, the legal classification and the circumstances.

Article 223-1-1 · French Criminal Code

Disclosure creating a direct risk

The provision generally provides for up to 3 years' imprisonment and a €45,000 fine. Certain circumstances specified by law may increase the penalties to 5 years' imprisonment and a €75,000 fine.

Check the current law ↗

Depending on the facts

Other possible offences

Harassment, threats, insult, defamation or invasion of privacy may be assessed separately. Their legal requirements, penalties and limitation periods differ.

Explore official resources →

Do not confuse the maximum penalty with the sentence imposed. These figures are the penalties provided by the cited law, subject to the current wording and circumstances. They do not predict the outcome of a case.

What about people who share the content?

Sharing content does not automatically result in the same liability in every case. The content shared, intent, contribution to the risk, added comments and surrounding facts must be examined. Individual advice requires a review of the case and, where appropriate, advice from a lawyer.