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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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

Transcript

Jun 7, 2022

The EU Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act could become global models, say the bills’ drafters

By Atlantic Council

Two of the leading Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act drafters talk about the future of the policy package—and how citizens will be key to helping bring about transparency and accountability online.

Civil Society
European Union

360/OS

Jun 7, 2022

Ukraine at 360/OS: How Russian disinformation is fueling the war

By Layla Mashkoor, Iain Robertson

The Digital Forensic Research Lab's 360/Open Summit dug into the online ramifications of Russia's war in Ukraine, and what democracies should do now.

Disinformation
Europe & Eurasia

360/OS

Jun 7, 2022

Digital Sherlocks assemble! Here’s what happened at our first in-person gathering ever.

By Layla Mashkoor, Iain Robertson

As a part of the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) fifth annual 360/Open Summit, held on June 6 and 7 in Brussels, the DFRLab assembled a cohort of Digital Sherlocks. In total, around eighty Digital Sherlocks from more than forty countries attended. Combatting disinformation and building a resilient information ecosystem can’t be done […]

Disinformation

360/OS

Jun 7, 2022

Moderating non-English content: Transparency and local contexts are critical

By Layla Mashkoor

The decisions made by content moderators and algorithms have significant impacts, not only in online information spaces but also offline.

Disinformation
Internet

360/OS

Jun 6, 2022

360/OS Contested Realities | Connected Futures day 1 round-up

By Iain Robertson, Layla Mashkoor, and Nishtha Gupta

Catch up on all the highlights from the first day of the Digital Forensic Research Lab's summit in Brussels.

Disinformation
Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

Jun 6, 2022

Spyware like Pegasus is a warning: Digital authoritarianism can happen in democracies, too

By Nick Fouriezos

Journalists and citizens targeted by spyware warn the audience at the Digital Forensic Research Lab's 360/Open Summit about the proliferation of state-sponsored digital surveillance.

Africa
Cybersecurity

Transcript

Jun 6, 2022

What happens when toxic online behavior enters the metaverse?

By Atlantic Council

As technology and reality intersect, policymakers are going to need to prepare for a world integrated with virtual and augmented reality.

Civil Society
Internet

Transcript

Jun 6, 2022

Web3 is set to transform the internet. Can it bring global social and economic change?

By Atlantic Council

The decentralized digital world is on the rise; here's what that means for political, economic, and social rights worldwide.

Civil Society
Internet
Belarusian soldiers from the Unit 103rd Vitebsk Guard Aircraft Brigade conduct joint combat exercises with police units in the Gomel region of Belarus, Feb 16, 2022. (Source: Eyepress via Reuters Connect)

New Atlanticist

Jun 3, 2022

Russian War Report: Signs of renewed Belarusian troop movements towards Ukrainian border

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Belarusian troops seem to be on the move again toward their border with Ukraine while the Kremlin spreads claims of killed NATO officers and blames the West for global food shortages.

Belarus
Disinformation
A camouflaged Russian tank outside the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Enerhodar, Ukraine, March 16, 2022. (Source: Reuters/Energoatom)

New Atlanticist

May 27, 2022

Russian War Report: Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels claim Ukraine is building a “dirty bomb”

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Pro-Kremlin Telegram channels misrepresented comments by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to claim Ukraine was producing a “dirty bomb.”

Disinformation
NATO