French watchdog: large amount of Macron data leaked
PARIS — France’s election campaign commission says “a significant amount of data” has been leaked on social networks following a hacking attack allegedly suffered by centrist presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron, 36 hours before the nation votes Sunday in the crucial runoff against Marine Le Pen.
The commission said Saturday that leaked data apparently came from Macron’s “information systems and mail accounts from some of his campaign managers.” In a statement released after a morning meeting, the watchdog said the leaked data had been “fraudulently” obtained and that fake news has probably been mingled with it.
The commission urged French media and citizens “not to relay” the leaked documents “in order not to alter the sincerity of the vote.” French electoral laws impose a blackout Saturday and most of Sunday on any campaigning and media coverage seen as swaying the election.
Meanwhile voting for France’s next president started in some overseas territories Saturday.