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French authorities are investigating BlackCore, an Israeli firm, for allegedly running a sophisticated digital smear campaign against left-wing candidates from France’s La France Insoumise (LFI) party during the country’s municipal elections in March 2026. The election, which saw high voter turnout, was closely watched due to the contentious climate in France. According to sources, BlackCore targeted at least three LFI candidates with fake blogs, anonymous social media accounts, and coordinated ads that allegedly made unsubstantiated claims about their personal character.
In a statement, Meta revealed that its team successfully traced the network behind the smear campaign to Israel, where they found and subsequently removed it. The company stated that the network was an attempt to mislead and manipulate public opinion by spreading false information. While the exact intentions and involvement of BlackCore remain unclear, the removal of these fake networks appears to have limited the campaign’s reach and potentially prevented further harm.
According to available data, an LFI candidate withdrawn from the elections due to the smear campaign’s perceived impact on their personal and professional reputation. Another candidate narrowly lost a runoff election and is now seeking legal recourse, asking the French courts to annul the results due to the alleged interference with their campaign.
BlackCore remains a mystery as the Israeli government claimed not to be familiar with the company or its alleged activities. Further investigation by French authorities into BlackCore and its role in the smear campaign appears to be on the rise. Meanwhile, the firm’s online presence has seemingly vanished into thin air, as its website and LinkedIn page were inaccessible after Reuters contacted the company.
This incident draws attention to broader concerns about the growing threat of digital smear campaigns, not only in France but also across Europe and globally. The development of increasingly sophisticated networks capable of spreading disinformation highlights the need for stronger regulations and more stringent enforcement of existing laws.
As investigations continue, French authorities and international partners are working closely to uncover the extent of BlackCore’s involvement in the scandal. No charges have been brought against BlackCore employees, and it remains uncertain whether further action will be taken.