Israeli firm BlackCore suspected of election meddling in New York, Scotland and Africa

France's disinformation detection service, Viginum, has identified the Israeli firm BlackCore as a suspect in foreign digital interference operations beyond France's borders. The firm is now suspected of meddling in elections in New York City and Scotland, and operating in Angola and Togo, according to Viginum chief Marc-Antoine Brillant.

This follows previous suspicions that BlackCore was involved in a smear campaign targeting candidates from the hard-left, pro-Palestine France Unbowed party during France's municipal elections in March. Viginum's findings were presented in a detailed report on BlackCore's alleged global activities.

“

This modus operandi was not limited to municipal elections in France. It also appears to have been used to carry out foreign digital interference operations in other countries or regions, such as Angola, Togo, the elections in Scotland, and the 2025 municipal election in New York.

"This modus operandi was not limited to municipal elections in France," Brillant stated at a press conference alongside French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu. "It also appears to have been used to carry out foreign digital interference operations in other countries or regions, such as Angola, Togo, the elections in Scotland, and the 2025 municipal election in New York."

However, the exact sponsors behind BlackCore's alleged interference remain unclear. "Our investigations did not make it possible to identify the sponsor or sponsors, if indeed they exist, behind this foreign digital interference," Brillant admitted. In response, the French government has requested explanations from Israel regarding BlackCore's actions and assistance in uncovering potential sponsors.

“

Our investigations did not make it possible to identify the sponsor or sponsors, if indeed they exist, behind this foreign digital interference.

Israel's embassy in Paris confirmed it had been contacted by France and is awaiting details of the French investigation to conduct its own. The embassy stated, "Israel has of course no intention to interfere in the French political process, be it at the national or municipal level."

Viginum's subsequent report indicated that BlackCore-linked accounts targeted John Swinney, the first minister of Scotland, who has been vocal about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The report did not specify which candidates were targeted in the New York City election, which was won by Zohran Mamdani, known for his pro-Palestinian stance.

“

Israel has of course no intention to interfere in the French political process, be it at the national or municipal level.