An Israeli influence-for-hire company called BlackCore has been identified conducting digital manipulation campaigns across multiple countries. The company operates through a sophisticated infrastructure offering services including discourse dominance, organic engagement manipulation, and counter-operations. Researchers identified a specific campaign involving a 14-week training program delivered to Angolan government employees in early 2026, which included the creation and deployment of fake social media personas and coordinated inauthentic behavior. The operation utilized AI-generated profile pictures, fake news outlets like 'Agita News', and coordinated amplification tactics across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. BlackCore's promotional materials openly advertised their capabilities to conduct deceptive influence operations on behalf of government clients, demonstrating how influence-for-hire services have become accessible to state actors seeking to manipulate online discourse.
