French police arrest alleged hacker who attacked Obama’s Twitter account

French police arrest alleged Twitter hacker

PARIS — French police say they have detained a 25-year-old who allegedly hacked Twitter accounts of numerous well-known figures, including Britney Spears and President Barack Obama.

Police said Wednesday the suspect, who went by the pseudonym “Hacker Croll,” was caught following a joint operation with the FBI and arrested Tuesday in the Puy-de-Dome region of central France.

Police say the FBI contacted them after discovering in July that someone had managed to get access to confidential information after hacking into the Twitter system and passing for an administrator.

Police say the challenge, not money, motivated the hacker.

Twitter has been the target of several attacks. Hackers have posted information online or sent fake messages.