THE SNP and First Minister John Swinney have responded to a French government report stating that they were targeted by an Israeli firm during the Scottish parliament elections.
Viginum, France’s service for vigilance and protection against foreign digital interference, said that it had detected interference in elections in Scotland, France, New York City, and elsewhere from an Israeli firm called BlackCore.
In Scotland, the French government agency reported identifying hundreds of fake accounts linked to BlackCore targeting Swinney and the SNP on social media, with the operation ending on May 8, the day after Scots went to the polls.
A spokesperson for the SNP said that the report “from France’s disinformation watchdog is deeply concerning and any interference in our democratic process must be thoroughly investigated”.
“Over the course of the Scottish election campaign, the SNP observed that posts across our social media platforms were subject to an unprecedented level of negative reactions and comments from accounts which appeared to be AI-generated bots,” the spokesperson went on.
“Our people powered digital campaign with authentic support from communities across Scotland countered these AI generated attacks and helped the SNP to a landslide victory.”
Speaking from the US, First Minister John Swinney called for action from the UK Government in response to the report.
"It is clear that orchestrated disinformation campaigns and foreign election interference are issues which need to be taken seriously,” Swinney said.
"Urgent steps need to be taken to counter the threat of foreign online political interference, and ensure that our democratic processes are not undermined.
"That begins with the UK Government, which has responsibility for national security, making dealing with hostile state online interference a far higher priority."
Scottish Green co-leader Ross Greer elsewhere said: “French authorities have confirmed Israeli interference in May's Scottish elections.
“Will [Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper] follow France's lead and summon the Israeli ambassador? Or will she continue Labour's tradition of letting them away with absolutely anything?”
The UK Government has been approached for comment.
After BlackCore was approached for comment on the report by Reuters, it appears to have gone to ground, with its website and social media presence being wiped.
The identity of those behind the Israeli organisation has not been established, the French government said.
