Combating foreign digital interference: ‘France is among the top three in Europe’
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu convened a meeting with political leaders to address AI-fueled foreign digital interference risks ahead of the 2027 presidential election, warning of 'serious threats' to electoral integrity. Cybersecurity expert Benoît Grünemwald highlighted AI’s role in amplifying disinformation, noting France’s VIGINUM unit is among Europe’s top three in countering such threats, while past incidents like the 'Macron Leaks' cyberattack underscore ongoing vulnerabilities.
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu hosted political representatives from across party lines on June 11 to discuss the escalating threat of foreign digital interference ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Authorities expressed alarm over rapid advances in artificial intelligence, which they believe could make it easier to manipulate the voting process from abroad. Lecornu described the risks as 'serious,' emphasizing that the entire political class may be at risk. Since the 2017 'Macron Leaks' cyberattack—blamed on Russia—the French government has strengthened its defenses against disinformation. However, experts warn that generative AI, unresolved geopolitical tensions, and a politically fragmented electorate could fuel a surge in disinformation campaigns. Recent municipal elections served as a 'dress rehearsal,' with authorities detecting multiple attempts to destabilize the electoral process. Benoît Grünemwald, a cybersecurity expert at ESET, stressed the need for a multi-pronged approach to combat digital interference. This includes media literacy initiatives, preventative measures by political parties, and the work of VIGINUM, a specialist unit under France’s secretary-general for defense and national security (SGDSN). Since 2021, VIGINUM has tracked and countered foreign influence activities, positioning France among the top three European nations in such efforts. Grünemwald explained that AI has transformed disinformation by enabling the rapid production of high-quality, multilingual content—including text, video, and audio—that can convincingly mimic legitimate sources. This mirrors tactics used in phishing scams but on a larger scale, making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between authentic and fabricated information. The expert highlighted that AI’s capabilities could significantly amplify the volume and sophistication of disinformation campaigns ahead of the 2027 election.
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