Israeli Tech Firm BlackCore Accused of Targeting Scottish First Minister John Swinney
A French government agency has formally accused an Israeli technology company, BlackCore, of engaging in online disinformation campaigns targeting Scottish First Minister John Swinney and the Scottish National Party (SNP) during the recent Holyrood election. The French disinformation detection service, Viginum, reported that hundreds of fabricated accounts were used to post coordinated comments on Swinney's social media profiles.
Targeting Pro-Palestine Stance
This alleged interference followed Swinney's public condemnation of the conflict in Gaza, which he described as a "man-made humanitarian catastrophe" and suggested could involve a genocide by Israel. Viginum's detailed report documented the mobilisation of at least 256 accounts, responsible for over 1,400 comments on posts from Swinney, the SNP, and the Scottish government. The SNP ultimately secured 58 seats in the election, with Swinney subsequently re-elected as First Minister.
Swinney has called the report "deeply concerning," emphasising the necessity for "urgent steps" to counter foreign online political interference and safeguard democratic processes. He placed the responsibility on the UK Government, citing its remit for national security, to prioritise addressing such hostile activities.
BlackCore's Operations and International Reach
BlackCore describes itself as an "elite influence, cyber, and technology company built for the modern era of information warfare," offering governments and political campaigns "cutting-edge strategies, advanced tools, and robust security to shape narratives." The firm's online presence was removed after inquiries were made by news agency Reuters. French authorities also suspect BlackCore was behind a smear campaign targeting mayoral candidates from the hard-left France Unbowed party (LFI) in local elections. The Viginum report indicates BlackCore's involvement in "digital interference operations" across several countries, including Angola, Togo, and the 2025 mayoral election in New York, which was won by a pro-Palestine candidate, Zohran Mamdani.
Viginum chief Marc-Antoine Brillant stated that the entity or entities commissioning BlackCore's interference remain unidentified. French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has requested an explanation from Israel regarding BlackCore's actions and assistance in identifying the campaign's sponsors. The Israeli embassy in Paris stated it would await details from the French investigation before initiating its own, asserting that Israel has "no intention to interfere in the French political process."
