French authorities are investigating whether an obscure Israeli company called BlackCore played a role in a foreign interference campaign targeting the hard-left party La France Insoumise (France Unbowed – LFI) ahead of local elections held in March.
According to Reuters, citing two sources, French intelligence services are investigating who allegedly hired BlackCore to carry out a smear campaign against three party candidates through deceptive websites and social media accounts.
The campaign reportedly included false accusations of criminal behaviour and disparaging digital ads.
On its website, BlackCore describes itself as “an elite influence, cyber, and technology company built for the modern era of information warfare.”
According to French authorities and the candidates involved, the campaign targeted Marseille mayoral candidate Sebastien Delogu, Toulouse candidate François Piquemal and Roubaix candidate David Guiraud.
French newspaper Le Monde first revealed details of the operation in March, based on a report by the agency Viginum, which referred to a limited “foreign digital interference” scheme targeting a French political party and several of its candidates in Marseille, Toulouse and Roubaix.
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