Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) has operationalized the study of disinformation by exposing falsehoods and fake news, documenting human rights abuses, and building digital resilience worldwide.

The Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) is a first of its kind organization with technical and policy expertise on disinformation, connective technologies, democracy, and the future of digital rights. Incubated at the Atlantic Council in 2016, the DFRLab has conducted over 1,000 investigations exposing influence operations and emerging digital threats worldwide.

With a team rooted in diverse regional expertise and subject-matter knowledge, the DFRLab works to promote digital resilience, defend democratic institutions, and ensure that objective fact remains central to public discourse in an increasingly contested information space.

Read the DFRLab’s latest case studies, learn about our initiatives, and more at DFRLab.org

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ABOUT US

Programs

The Democracy + Tech Initiative creates policy practices that align global stakeholders toward tech and governance that reinforces, rather than undermines, open societies. It builds on the DFRLab’s established track record and leadership in the open-source field, empowering global communities to promote transparency and accountability online and around the world.

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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From the archives

Experts

Content

360/StratCom

Dec 8, 2022

360/StratCom: How policymakers can set a democratic tech agenda for the interconnected world

By Layla Mashkoor

The DFRLab assembled policymakers and civil-society leaders together to drive forward a democratic tech agenda that is rights-respecting and inclusive.  

Cybersecurity Disinformation

Press Release

Dec 8, 2022

FOR RELEASE: DFRLab Democracy + Tech Initiative launches Task Force for a Trustworthy Future Web

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) is proud to announce the launch of its new Task Force for a Trustworthy Future Web.

Internet Technology & Innovation

360/StratCom

Dec 8, 2022

Holes in the great fire wall: Dissent and protests in China

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

At 360/StratCom, the DFRLab hosted a panel of experts on China’s Communist Party, surveillance architecture, protest, and the information environment for a conversation on the implications of recent events for China.

China Coronavirus

360/StratCom

Dec 8, 2022

The call for coordinated action for a free, open, and interoperable internet

By Erika Hsu

The DFRLab, as part of its annual 360/StratCom event, convened a discussion about the FOC, including the need to coordinate action to protect a free, open, secure, and interoperable internet.

Cybersecurity Disinformation

360/StratCom

Dec 7, 2022

The White House’s new deputy cyber director: Tech’s challenges are society’s challenges

By Nick Fouriezos

Camille Stewart Gloster, the inaugural deputy national cyber director for technology and ecosystem security, spoke at the DFRLab's 360/StratCom about her newly created office's ambitious agenda to address a wide scope of cyber challenges.

Cybersecurity Technology & Innovation

Transcript

Dec 7, 2022

Camille Stewart breaks down the Office of the National Cyber Director’s whole-of-society strategy

By Atlantic Council

Camille Stewart Gloster, the inaugural deputy national cyber director for technology & ecosystem, is defining the role that the United States' new Office of the National Cyber Director can play.

Technology & Innovation

Transcript

Dec 7, 2022

Can the Freedom Online Coalition live up to its potential?

By Atlantic Council

The Freedom Online Coalition has operated with varied success. As the US prepares to take over as chair of the body, civil society leaders who helped launch and shape the Coalition discuss how it can best be leveraged to advance a proactively democratic digital world.

Technology & Innovation

Report

Dec 6, 2022

An introduction to the Freedom Online Coalition

By Rose Jackson, Leah Fiddler, Jacqueline Malaret

The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) is comprised of thirty-four member countries committed to advancing Internet freedom and human rights online.

Digital Policy International Organizations
Original photo of the Polish PM, which was digitally altered and amplified on Telegram. (Source: @PremierRP/archive)

New Atlanticist

Dec 2, 2022

Russian War Report: Russian Telegram channel spreads digitally modified photo of Poland’s prime minister

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Russian Telegram channels disseminated a manipulated photo showing Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki at a monument during his visit to Ukraine.

Conflict Disinformation
Anti-LGBTQ counter-protesters stomp on a rainbow flag during a protest by gay rights activists in central Moscow, June 11, 2013. (Source: Reuters/Maxim Shemetov)

New Atlanticist

Nov 18, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia defends ‘traditional values,’ criminalizes LGBTQ ‘propaganda’

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

After two Polish citzens were killed by a missile, Poland and NATO both say the hit was not a Russian attack. Meanwhile, Putin enacts an anti-LGBTQ ord

Central Europe Civil Society