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

Belarus Cyber Partisans

Article

Oct 1, 2020

Lukashenka’s regime confused by protest-driven cyber attacks

By Nika Aleksejeva

Government reactions to attacks by the Belarus Cyber Partisans marred by defensiveness, contradictions and ignorance.

Belarus Cybersecurity

Future of DHS

Oct 1, 2020

Future of DHS Report quoted in Chairman Thompson’s remarks at House Rules Committee hearing

By Atlantic Council

On October 1, Chairman Thompson of the House Committee on Homeland Security spoke on a panel before the House Rules Committee. In his remarks, he mentioned a recommendation from the Future of DHS Report, expressing his agreement.

Cybersecurity Disinformation
Interference2020

Elections 2020

Sep 29, 2020

Making sense of foreign interference claims on the eve of the 2020 US election

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The DFRLab launches an interactive, open-source database that captures allegations of foreign interference relevant to the 2020 election. It assesses the credibility, objectivity, evidence, transparency, and impact of each claim.

Disinformation Elections
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Sep 29, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: September 29, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Following a visit to the Latin America region by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Nicolás Maduro’s attacks directed at the secretary and also at current Colombian President Iván Duque gained traction on social media, with an article from dubious website Al Punto receiving the most engagement on Facebook, in particular via a post by a Colombian influencer.

Disinformation Venezuela
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Sep 24, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: September 22, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Investigators from the United Nations (UN) published a report on September 16, 2020, with evidence of “unlawful executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions and torture” in Venezuela that have taken place since 2014.

Disinformation Venezuela

Elections 2020

Sep 23, 2020

Ahead of the 2020 US elections, the disinformation threat is more domestic than foreign

By Larry Luxner

Three top journalists and editors working at the intersection of national security, technology, and elections discussed the challenges they’re facing on a daily basis with the conspiracy theories, misinformation, and lies percolating online ahead of the US elections.

Civil Society Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Sep 22, 2020

Desecration of genocide monument marks a new low in Ukraine’s memory wars

By John Vsetecka

The recent desecration of an iconic Kyiv statue honoring the millions of Ukrainians killed in the 1930s Soviet genocide marks a new low in the memory wars over the country's troubled and traumatic past.

Disinformation Resilience & Society

Elections 2020

Sep 22, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: Disinformation

By DFRLab

Whether the mis- or disinformation is foreign or domestic in origin, an information environment rife with confusing, polarizing, and often false narratives can only serve to further divide an already tense nation.

China Disinformation

Future of DHS

Sep 21, 2020

Warrick calls for DHS reform in letter to Houston Chronicle

By Atlantic Council

In response to an article in the Houston Chronicle advocating for the dismantlement of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Forward Defense Non-Resident Senior Fellow Thomas Warrick writes that DHS can be reformed, including through the recommendations of the Atlantic Council’s Future of DHS Project. More about our experts:

China Coronavirus
Belarus Rally

Article

Sep 21, 2020

Pro-Lukashenka Telegram channels amplify each other to smear protesters

By Nika Aleksejeva

Several Telegram channels supporting Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka are actively amplifying each other’s content in an attempt to discredit anti-Lukashenka protesters while mobilizing supporters to attend pro-government rallies.

Belarus Disinformation

Experts