Recent analysis

Russia orders tech platforms to remove coronavirus “fake news”

UkraineAlert May 27, 2025

Russia is extinguishing all traces of Ukrainian identity in occupied Ukraine

By Kateryna Odarchenko

Throughout occupied Ukraine, the Russian authorities are seeking to consolidate their control by eradicating all traces of Ukrainian statehood and national identity while imposing a reign of terror on the civilian population, writes Kateryna Odarchenko.
Conflict Disinformation
Russia orders tech platforms to remove coronavirus “fake news”

New Atlanticist May 5, 2025

What’s the best way to deal with Russian information manipulation? Latvia has answers.

By Elīna Vrobļevska and Beniamino Irdi

By combining policy tools, public education, media support, active debunking, and international partnerships, Latvia has built a layered defense.
Disinformation Europe & Eurasia
Russia orders tech platforms to remove coronavirus “fake news”

New Atlanticist Apr 18, 2025

Exposing Pravda: How pro-Kremlin forces are poisoning AI models and rewriting Wikipedia

By Valentin Châtelet

Our investigation explores how Russia is weaponizing Wikipedia and artificial intelligence chatbots to expand its global malign influence campaign.
Disinformation Europe & Eurasia

Programs

The Atlantic Council Technology Programs comprises five existing efforts—the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), the GeoTech Center, the Cyber Statecraft Initiative, the Democracy + Tech Initiative, and the Capacity Building Initiative. These operations work together to address the geopolitical implications of technology and provide policymakers and global stakeholders necessary research, insights, and convenings to address challenges around global technology and ensure its responsible advancement.

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Content

New Atlanticist

Mar 27, 2020

Russia orders tech platforms to remove coronavirus “fake news”

By Justin Sherman

The Russian government has been actively engaged in spreading disinformation and misinformation around the pandemic. The Kremlin has also been active in ordering internet platforms operating in the country to remove coronavirus “fake news” from their platforms, which follows previous Kremlin efforts to crack down on independent internet sites offering legitimate news.

Coronavirus Disinformation
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#AlertaVenezuela

Mar 25, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: March 25, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Two Venezuelan fringe websites created Facebook groups and pages impersonating well-known media outlets to promote their own content, apparently motivated by profit.

Disinformation Venezuela

Article

Mar 24, 2020

Six reasons the Kremlin spreads disinformation about the coronavirus

By Jakub Kalenský

Fabrications about COVID-19’s origins are meant to stir up anti-U.S. sentiment and fuel discord.

Coronavirus Disinformation
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#AlertaVenezuela

Mar 17, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: March 17, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

The confirmation of the first cases of the novel coronavirus in Venezuela led to the politicization of the outbreak and the spread of claims that were not supported by evidence.

Disinformation Venezuela

New Atlanticist

Mar 16, 2020

Addressing the coronavirus “infodemic”

By David A. Wemer

“Information, including disinformation and misinformation about the novel coronavirus is spreading faster than the pandemic itself,” Atlantic Council President and CEO Frederick Kempe explained. The sheer amount of information on the outbreak means that government and business leaders need to take specific actions to ensure that their citizens and employees receive important credible information.

Disinformation Economy & Business
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#AlertaVenezuela

Mar 10, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: March 10, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Nicolás Maduro and his Vice President Delcy Rodríguez promoted the hashtag #LasSancionesSonUnCrimen (“Sanctions are a crime”) on March 6, 2020, when it also reached the trending topics of the country on Twitter. The hashtag was part of a broader campaign launched by the regime that same day to protest U.S. sanctions imposed on Venezuela.

Disinformation Venezuela
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#AlertaVenezuela

Mar 3, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: March 3, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Fringe outlets that reported on an attack on a Juan Guaidó rally in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, received more engagement on social media than traditional and trustworthy outlets that wrote about the same topic.

Disinformation Venezuela

Insights & Impact

Mar 3, 2020

Peering Around the Corner: The Geopolitics of Coronavirus

By Atlantic Council

On February 11, 2020 the DFRLab hosted "Peering Around the Corner: The Geopolitics of Coronavirus," a timely series of panels on the potential geopolitical and economic consequences of Coronavirus, and how misinformation about the crisis may influence its impact.

China Disinformation

Article

Feb 26, 2020

Anonymous pro-Russian Telegram channels target protests in Belarus

By Givi Gigitashvili

Amid ongoing economic integration talks between Russia and Belarus, eight channels attacked opponents of integration and spread pro-Kremlin narratives.

Belarus Disinformation
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#AlertaVenezuela

Feb 25, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: February 25, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

William Castillo, as vice minister of international communications, is one of the most prominent authorities in the Maduro regime’s Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Affairs. Castillo has attacked journalists online for allegedly publishing “fake news,” despite the fact that he has repeatedly published false claims on Twitter.

Disinformation Venezuela
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Experts

Ana Arriagada

Staff

Ana Arriagada

Assistant Director, Latin America

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Civil Society

Staff

Nitansha Bansal

Assistant director

Cyber Statecraft Initiative

Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity

Fellow

Abdelhak Bassou

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Africa Center

Africa Disinformation

Fellow

Arjun Bisen

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Australia Digital Policy
Graham Brookie

Staff

Graham Brookie

Vice President and Senior Director

Atlantic Council Technology Programs

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation National Security

Staff

Emerson T. Brooking

Director of Strategy and Resident Senior Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Defense Policy Disinformation
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