Israeli firm BlackCore meddled in US and Scottish elections, French watchdog says

French disinformation watchdog Viginum accused Israeli cyber firm BlackCore of meddling in elections beyond France, including New York City and Scotland. At a press conference with Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu, Viginum chief Marc-Antoine Brillant revealed technical evidence suggesting BlackCore conducted foreign digital interference in Angola, Togo, Scotland, and New York’s 2025 municipal elections. Last month, French authorities identified BlackCore’s involvement in smear campaigns against three pro-Palestine leftist candidates in Marseille, Toulouse, and Roubaix. The operation used fake websites, social media, and ads to spread false criminal allegations. A joint investigation by *Liberation* and *Haaretz* traced the tools to BlackCore’s servers in Tel Aviv. France requested Israel’s cooperation to clarify BlackCore’s actions and identify potential sponsors. Lecornu stated Israel would respond similarly if a French group interfered in its elections. Israel’s embassy in Paris confirmed it awaits French details to launch its own probe. Viginum linked BlackCore to targeting New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Palestinian rights advocate, and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, who criticized Israel’s Gaza policies. BlackCore previously described itself as an ‘elite influence and cyber company’ specializing in information warfare. The FBI, New York Police Department, and Mamdani’s team declined comment, while Scotland’s government has not addressed the claims. BlackCore erased its online presence after media inquiries.