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Israeli tech firm accused of targeting First Minister in election
Viginum said at least 256 inauthentic accounts posted 1,400 comments in the campaign, while investigators said the sponsor remains unknown.
- On Thursday, Viginum chief Marc-Antoine Brillant reported that Israeli tech firm BlackCore targeted Scottish First Minister John Swinney and the Scottish National Party with coordinated disinformation campaigns.
- Between January 6 and May 8, the agency identified at least 256 inauthentic accounts disseminating 1,400 comments on social media posts by the Scottish government and SNP leadership.
- This 'digital interference' extended beyond Scotland, with Viginum linking BlackCore to operations in France, Angola, Togo, and New York, where the firm claimed to 'shape narratives' through cyber strategies.
- Swinney described the findings as 'deeply concerning,' calling on the UK Government to prioritize national security and counter hostile state online interference threatening democratic processes.
- Israel's embassy in Paris denied any intent to interfere, while an SNP spokesperson stated the party's 'people powered digital campaign' countered the AI-generated attacks, resulting in a landslide victory.
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The Scottish Government has called for urgent action against foreign political interference following an investigation by the French authorities attributing to an Israeli company a disinformation operation directed against the Scottish Prime Minister, John Swinney, and the Scottish National Party (SNP) during the parliamentary election campaign.tags: independence, Scotland, Israel, blackcore» original news (www.vilaweb.cat)
The French authorities have pointed out an Israeli company for interfering in the Scottish elections ...
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution75% Left
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources lean Left
75% Left
L 75%
C 25%
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