Disinformation

The rise of the internet and online social networks has altered the scope and scale at which people access, consume, and communicate information. But the same technologies that have democratized access to information have also enabled malicious actors who seek to undermine our democratic values and processes. Disinformation is false or misleading information spread with the intention to deceive. It’s distinct from misinformation, which is the unintentional spread of false information. When left unchecked, disinformation has the potential to sow confusion in public dialogue, exacerbate political polarization, and promote distrust in our political systems and democratic institutions.

Content

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2020

To defend US elections, we must recognize that the fault is in ourselves

By Nina Kollars and Michael Rodriguez

It is time to put money toward state information infrastructure, to align public expectations with the pace of the democratic process, and to hold elected leaders accountable for lighting fires in information dumpsters.

Cybersecurity Disinformation
cctv building china

In-Depth Research & Reports

Dec 17, 2020

Countering Chinese disinformation reports

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

A series of reports on countering Chinese disinformation campaigns around the globe from the Digital Forensic Research Lab and Asia Security Initiative, housed in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.

China Digital Policy
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Dec 15, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: December 15, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Pro-Maduro accounts used the hashtag #FiltraronLaConsulta to claim falsely that the “people’s consultation,” a referendum organized by Juan Guaidó was insecure and hackers leaked voters’ identification data.

Disinformation Venezuela

GeoTech Cues

Dec 14, 2020

Vaccine hesitancy part 1: Using connections to drive human-centered approaches for health

By Tiffany Vora

Dr. Tiffany Vora shares insights from a recent peer-reviewed investigation of online interactions about vaccination and integrates these insights with an orthogonal approach to understanding vaccine hesitancy.

Coronavirus Disinformation
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#AlertaVenezuela

Dec 9, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: December 9, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

In the aftermath of the December 6 regime-controlled electoral exercise, Nicolás Maduro and his supporters celebrated the “installation” of a new National Assembly while the opposition coalition represented by Juan Guaidó described the electoral process as a “fraud.

Disinformation Venezuela

Event Recap

Dec 7, 2020

Event recap | At the crossroads of emerging technologies and security during the pandemic

By Henry Westerman

On Thursday, December 3, the Embassy of Finland and the Atlantic Council’s GeoTech Center convened a partially public, partially private roundtable to discuss the impact technology on contemporary society, politics, and transatlantic relations. The roundtable sought to consider specific policy steps that could build trust in governments, corporations, and technologies alike, both in the United States and Europe, so as to overcome the numerous technological challenges of the present and issues poised for the future.

Cybersecurity Digital Policy
Democratic Offense Against Disinformation

In-Depth Research & Reports

Dec 2, 2020

Democratic offense against disinformation

While democratic states have made great progress in defending against disinformation and foreign interference, this report suggests it is time to go on the offensive to stop bad information actors in their tracks.

Cybersecurity Disinformation
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#AlertaVenezuela

Dec 1, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: December 1, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

The DFRLab analyzed some 4,000 accounts that amplified a happy birthday hashtag for Maduro and found that many of the accounts were created that day and showed the same naming and behavior patterns.

Disinformation Venezuela

In the News

Nov 24, 2020

Hu quoted in Voice of America on Russian influence

By Atlantic Council

On November 24, Forward Defense non-resident senior fellow Evanna Hu was quoted in a Voice of America article titled “Russian Influence Peddlers Carving Out New Audiences on Fringes.”

Disinformation Elections
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#AlertaVenezuela

Nov 24, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: November 24, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

On Twitter, pro-Trump and Venezuelan pro- Maduro accounts used U.S. President Donald Trump’s lawyers' attempts to prove supposed Venezuelan interference in the November 3 U.S. presidential election.

Disinformation Venezuela

Experts