French Investigation Probes Alleged Role of Israeli Firm in Online Smear Campaign Targeting Far-Left Candidates

French authorities are investigating whether an obscure Israeli firm called BlackCore carried out at least part of a foreign interference campaign targeting a hard-left party ahead of March 2026 municipal elections. French intelligence agencies are investigating who commissioned the alleged BlackCore operation.

The alleged campaign sought to smear three candidates from the France Unbowed (LFI) party.

Tactics in the alleged campaign included deceptive websites, social media accounts alleging criminal behaviour, and disparaging digital advertisements. The operation targeted Marseille mayoral candidate Sébastien Delogu, Toulouse contender François Piquemal, and Roubaix candidate David Guiraud.

Le Monde reported in March 2026 that Viginum revealed a foreign digital interference scheme with limited reach targeting a French political party and its candidates in Marseille, Toulouse and Roubaix.

Le Canard Enchaîné later reported that authorities suspected an Israeli firm. BlackCore described itself on its now-offline website and LinkedIn page as an elite influence, cyber, and technology company built for the modern era of information warfare. It claimed to offer cutting-edge strategies, advanced tools, and robust security to shape narratives for governments and political campaigns.

Reuters could not independently verify BlackCore's origins, base, or find any corporate records in Israel. BlackCore did not respond to repeated messages sent via a contact form on its website and its LinkedIn page. The company's website and LinkedIn page were taken offline after Reuters sent messages.

Reuters reviewed undated BlackCore documents in which the company claimed credit for a social media operation on behalf of an African government that began in January 2026 and extended for 14 weeks. An individual provided the BlackCore documents to Reuters on condition that certain details about them were withheld.

Two sources who had knowledge of BlackCore's alleged French disinformation campaign said they were also aware of the company's work in Africa.

Meta Platforms stated that the network behind the African operation outlined in the BlackCore documents was tied to the disinformation campaign launched ahead of the French municipal elections. Meta removed a network of accounts and pages for violating its rules against coordinated inauthentic behavior. Meta stated the rogue activity originated in Israel and primarily targeted France.

Google and TikTok independently identified aspects of the French disinformation operation. Google did not return messages seeking comment. TikTok removed an account identified by Reuters as having promoted one of the bogus sites used in the alleged French smear campaign.

TikTok stated the account broke its rules on deceptive behaviour. French prosecutors either did not return messages or declined comment about BlackCore's alleged activities. Viginum declined to comment.

Israel's Foreign Ministry told Reuters it was not aware of BlackCore. LFI said Viginum alerted it to foreign interference aimed at its candidates and that it was cooperating with investigators. LFI stated: "We expect the upcoming (presidential) election to be the scene of attacks of this kind.

France Unbowed (LFI) retains a solid 10-15 per cent base of support. France's next presidential election is due to be held in April 2027. Sébastien Delogu filed a defamation lawsuit in March 2026 after a now-extinct site named Sophie's Blog targeted him, alluding to unspecified sexual misconduct.

QR codes pointing to Sophie's Blog were posted around Marseille. Yones Taguelmint confirmed that Delogu's complaint related to the blog and the QR codes. Viginum said Guiraud was targeted by Facebook pages linked to the same ecosystem.

François Piquemal lost in a narrow run-off vote in Toulouse. François Piquemal went to police after being targeted by anonymous social media accounts, websites and disparaging ads in La Depeche du Midi. La Depeche du Midi stated in a 21 March 2026 editorial that it would take legal action against those behind the ads.

Toulouse Prosecutor David Charmatz said Piquemal's criminal complaints were too recent to have generated any leads. François Piquemal sought to have the Toulouse election result annulled due to the alleged foreign interference. The Toulouse Administrative Court has yet to deliver a verdict on Piquemal's annulment request.