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

2018 Elections in Latin America

Jun 27, 2019

INFOGRAPHICS – Disinformation in democracies: Strengthening digital resilience in Latin America

2018 saw political tides turn in three of Latin America’s largest democracies. These elections also saw deep polarization and distrust in institutions among Brazilians, Mexicans, and Colombians in an information environment ripe with disinformation. And while disinformation and misinformation are nothing new, the spread o#f false information at alarming rates is more effective and worrisome […]

Brazil Colombia

New Atlanticist

Jun 26, 2019

How to weather a hack: Lessons from the Macron leaks

By David A. Wemer

Why did the leaks fail to move the needle during the 2017 French presidential campaign?

Disinformation Elections
Operation Secondary Infektion

Report

Jun 22, 2019

Operation Secondary Infektion

By Nika Aleksejeva, Lukas Andriukaitis, Luiza Bandeira, Donara Barojan, Graham Brookie, Eto Buziashvili, Andy Carvin, Kanishk Karan, Ben Nimmo, Iain Robertson, and Michael Sheldon

A Russian-based information operation used fake accounts, forged documents, and dozens of online platforms to spread stories.

Disinformation English

New Atlanticist

Jun 21, 2019

Open source investigators set their sights on Saudi airstrikes in Yemen

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Bellingcat and the Global Legal Action Network are using open source information to investigate airstrikes carried out by the Saudi-led coalition on civilian targets and critical infrastructure in Yemen.

Disinformation The Gulf

New Atlanticist

Jun 21, 2019

Open source information as a tool in exposing authoritarian regimes

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Open source researches can steel themselves to combat disinformation fro authoritarian regimes by working with social media companies, Iyed el-Baghdadi says.

Disinformation Saudi Arabia

New Atlanticist

Jun 20, 2019

The importance of working together in the fight against disinformation

By Ashish Kumar Sen

After reports showed that the European parliamentary elections were hit by disinformation campaigns, researchers argue for more coordination in response.

Disinformation

UkraineAlert

Jun 20, 2019

An incomplete end to the MH17 tragedy

By Michael Bociurkiw

Aside from the blowback from Russia and its refusal to cooperate, there are a couple of storm clouds on the horizon for the resolution of the MH17 tragedy.

Conflict Disinformation
360/OS London

Program Impact Story

Jun 20, 2019

360/OS Summit 2019

By Atlantic Council

The DFRLab was thrilled to welcome a diverse cohort of participants to London for our annual 360/OS summit on June 20-21, 2019.

Disinformation English

New Atlanticist

Jun 20, 2019

How the European Union avoided a disinformation crisis

By David A. Wemer

EU official says proactive measures helped lessen the impact of coordinated disinformation campaigns during the EU parliamentary elections.

Disinformation European Union

Report

Jun 20, 2019

The “#Macron leaks” operation: a post-mortem

By Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer

“The #Macron Leaks Operation,” by Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer analyzes the coordinated attempt to undermine Emmanuel Macron’s candidacy, with a disinformation campaign consisting of rumors, fake news, and even forged documents; a hack targeting the computers of his campaign staff; and, finally, a leak—15 gigabytes (GB) of stolen data.

Cybersecurity Disinformation

Experts