French disinformation unit Viginum says the company BlackCore ran a coordinated online campaign that targeted Scotland's First Minister John Swinney ahead of the 7 May Holyrood election. The agency identified at least 256 inauthentic accounts that posted about 1,400 comments mainly aimed at Swinney, the SNP and the Scottish government. French officials have asked Israel for explanations, while investigators say the sponsor behind the activity has not been identified.
French Report Accuses Israeli Tech Firm of Coordinated Disinformation Targeting Scotland's First Minister
John Swinney and the SNP were allegedly targeted by tech firm BlackCore [PA Media]
A French government disinformation unit, Viginum, says an Israeli-linked technology firm connected to the company BlackCore ran a coordinated online disinformation campaign aimed at Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney, in the run-up to the Holyrood election.
Viginum's detailed report identified at least 256 inauthentic accounts that spread about 1,400 coordinated comments across social media, primarily targeting the accounts of John Swinney, the Scottish National Party and the Scottish government. According to the agency, those accounts posted roughly 652 comments on @JohnSwinney, 338 on @theSNP and 112 on @ScotGovFM.
The coordinated activity came after Swinney described the Gaza conflict as a "man-made humanitarian catastrophe" and warned that a genocide by Israel might be unfolding. The attacks focused on Swinney's posts and the wider SNP leadership in the weeks before the 7 May Scottish Parliament election.
The Scottish National Party won 58 seats in the election, and Swinney was re-elected as First Minister shortly afterwards. Swinney described Viginum's findings as deeply concerning and called for urgent action to protect democratic processes from foreign online interference.
It is clear that orchestrated disinformation campaigns and foreign election interference are issues which need to be taken seriously, and that urgent steps are required to counter this threat, including higher priority from the UK Government on national security measures.
Viginum also linked BlackCore activity to operations in Angola and Togo and to involvement in the 2025 New York mayoral race. French investigators and Reuters previously reported suspicions that the firm had been involved in a smear campaign targeting three mayoral candidates from the France Unbowed (LFI) party.
Marc-Antoine Brillant, head of Viginum, said investigators were unable to identify who commissioned BlackCore's interventions and that the sponsor or sponsors, if any, remain unknown.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu told reporters that Paris has asked Israel for an explanation and requested assistance in identifying those responsible. The Israeli embassy in Paris said it was awaiting the French probe's details and made clear it did not intend to interfere in the French political process.
BlackCore described itself online as an influence, cyber and technology company offering services to shape narratives for governments and political campaigns. After Reuters made inquiries, the firm removed its public online presence. The Viginum report adds to growing international concern about opaque digital influence operations ahead of democratic votes.
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