France accuses Israeli firm of interfering in Scottish elections and targeting SNP
Cyber agency says BlackCore targeted John Swinney, as well as interfering in New York and French elections
TL;DR
- France's cybersecurity agency Viginum has identified Israeli tech company BlackCore as responsible for digital interference in Scottish elections.
- BlackCore allegedly targeted Scottish First Minister John Swinney, the Scottish National Party (SNP), and the Scottish government between January and May.
- The interference involved coordinated posting and the mobilization of at least 256 accounts on social media platform X, distributing approximately 1,400 comments.
- BlackCore's operations also targeted municipal elections in France, mayoral elections in New York, and elections in Togo and Angola.
- The identity of the client or clients who commissioned BlackCore's interference operations is currently unknown.
- BlackCore previously described itself as an "elite influence, cyber and technology company" focused on information warfare.
- The Israeli government stated it would await the French report before considering its own investigation and denied any interest in interfering in foreign elections.
- John Swinney highlighted online disinformation as a threat to democracy and urged the UK government to prioritize hostile state interference.