Israeli tech firm accused of targeting First Minister in election
4 hours ago
- #disinformation
- #election_interference
- #cybersecurity
- An Israeli tech firm, BlackCore, is accused of targeting Scotland's First Minister John Swinney with disinformation during the Holyrood election.
- French agency Viginum identified hundreds of fake accounts leaving coordinated comments on Swinney's and SNP's social media posts.
- BlackCore is also linked to smear campaigns against French left-wing candidates and interference in other countries' elections.
- John Swinney called the report 'deeply concerning' and urged the UK government to prioritize countering foreign online political interference.
- BlackCore, which describes itself as an influence and cyber company, deleted its online presence after media inquiries.
- Israel denied any intention to interfere in French politics and is awaiting details from the French investigation.