Story perspectives

Fake Accounts Target Swinney; Smear Campaigns Falter, BlackCore Suspected

6/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Smear campaigns against left-wing and pro-Palestine candidates in Scotland and New York failed to stop their wins.
Viginum identified 256 fake accounts that posted 1,400 comments targeting John Swinney, the SNP and Scottish government.
John Swinney warned that disinformation threatens democracy and urged the UK to prioritize counter-interference.
French officials suspect BlackCore of ops in France, Angola, Togo and New York after the firm removed its website and ignored media.

History

Historical Context

The Russian-run Internet Research Agency launched a coordinated disinformation campaign during the 2016 U.S. presidential election, creating thousands of fake Facebook pages and spending $100,000 on targeted ads that reached millions. Echoing those tactics, fabricated accounts now amplify smear attacks on Scottish and New York pro-Palestine candidates, prompting the UK and France to tighten cyber-security laws.

1 of 2

Story summary

Smear campaigns against left-wing and pro-Palestine candidates in Scotland and New York failed to stop their wins.
Viginum identified 256 fake accounts that posted 1,400 comments targeting John Swinney, the SNP and Scottish government.
John Swinney warned that disinformation threatens democracy and urged the UK to prioritize counter-interference.
French officials suspect BlackCore of ops in France, Angola, Togo and New York after the firm removed its website and ignored media.

1 / 2