PARIS, June 13 (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The French disinformation detection service, Viginum, reported on Thursday that an Israeli firm identified as BlackCore is suspected of conducting digital interference in elections across New York City and Scotland. The firm, which previously marketed itself as an elite influence and cyber-technology company, is also suspected of operating in Angola and Togo.
Investigation into digital interference
The disclosure followed an investigation into local elections in France held in March. Authorities in PARIS previously reported that BlackCore was likely responsible for an online smear campaign directed at three mayoral candidates from the France Unbowed party. Marc-Antoine Brillant, the chief of Viginum, presented a detailed report alongside French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu.
Brillant noted that the firm’s methods were not restricted to French municipal races. He stated that the digital interference appeared to extend to foreign operations in multiple countries and regions. While the technical evidence led researchers to BlackCore, investigators have yet to identify who commissioned the firm for these activities.
Targeting political figures
In New York City, the firm reportedly carried out operations during the 2025 municipal elections. The campaigns specifically targeted candidates who expressed outspoken support for Palestinian rights or criticized military actions in Gaza. Zohran Mamdani, who won the election to become the city’s first Muslim mayor, was identified as a target. Mamdani’s platform included vocal criticism of the situation in Gaza, drawing attention from various factions of the electorate.
Scotland also became a focus of these operations. Viginum reported that BlackCore-linked accounts targeted First Minister John Swinney and the Scottish National Party. Swinney has previously described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as a man-made catastrophe.
“These reports of bad actors attempting to interfere in the Scottish Parliament elections are deeply concerning,” Swinney stated.
He called upon the British government, which holds authority over national security matters, to prioritize the defense against hostile state-linked online interference. Ross Colquhoun, the digital head for the Scottish National Party, confirmed that during the May elections, their social media channels faced an unprecedented volume of negative reactions from accounts that appeared to be automated bots.
Governmental Response to Interference
The French government has formally requested explanations from Israel regarding the actions attributed to BlackCore. Prime Minister Lecornu emphasized the gravity of the situation, suggesting that had a private group from French soil engaged in similar interference in Israel, the response would be equally rigorous.
The Israeli embassy in Paris confirmed that they have received inquiries from French officials. In a formal statement, the embassy indicated it is waiting to receive comprehensive details from the French investigation to facilitate its own internal inquiry. The embassy further asserted that Israel holds no intention of interfering in the political processes of France, whether at the national or local level.
Despite the broad scope of these digital operations, the efforts reportedly failed to achieve their primary political goals. In Scotland, the Scottish National Party successfully retained power, and Swinney was re-elected. Similarly, in New York, targets of the smear campaigns like Mamdani emerged victorious in their respective races. Before the scrutiny intensified, BlackCore attempted to remove its digital presence, scrubbing the claims that it provided strategies and tools to shape political narratives. As of now, various agencies, including the FBI and local officials, have declined or failed to provide comments regarding the ongoing international investigations into the firm’s activities.
