What's happened
A French disinformation watchdog has linked the Israeli firm BlackCore to online campaigns that targeted elections in Scotland and New York, in addition to France’s local elections. The report ties BlackCore to a network amplifying content through automated accounts; authorities say the operations spanned Angola and Togo, with comments aimed at Scotland’s First Minister and the SNP.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- BlackCore’s reach appears to extend beyond France, with the alleged operations targeting Scottish and New York elections, and involvement in Angola and Togo.
- The reliance on automated accounts suggests a coordinated network rather than isolated incidents, complicating attribution.
- The timing aligns with heightened focus on foreign digital interference ahead of upcoming political cycles, which could influence public trust and electoral norms.
- Readers should monitor how governments respond, including safeguards against foreign influence and transparency in political advertising.
Predictions: expect ongoing investigations and potential diplomatic exchanges as more stock footage of online activity surfaces and more victims come forward.
How we got here
Viginum has traced BlackCore’s activity to a broader ecosystem of Israeli cyber companies. The probe follows prior Reuters reporting and comes as authorities in France and Israel seek explanations about potential foreign meddling in elections across multiple regions.
Our analysis
The Guardian reports on BlackCore’s alleged interference in Scotland and New York; The Times of Israel notes Reuters’ prior coverage; The New Arab and France 24 cover wider accusations and the Viginum briefing; France’s Le Monde and Reuters have tracked the thread of foreign digital interference.
Go deeper
- What new evidence could identify the sponsor(s) behind BlackCore?
- How might France and allied nations strengthen defenses against foreign online interference?
- Will there be diplomatic repercussions if more countries are implicated?
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France - Country in Europe
France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
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Scotland - Country of the United Kingdom
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a 96 mile border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and w
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Togo - Country in West Africa
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It is one of the least developed countries and extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, where its capita
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Angola - Country in Central Africa
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola, is a country on the west coast of Southern Africa. It is the seventh-largest country in Africa, bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, and the Atl
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Zohran Mamdani - Member of the New York State Assembly
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John Swinney - Deputy First Minister of Scotland
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