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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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/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
Banner image: Incendiary weapons explode above the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, Ukraine. (Source: @faceofwar/archive)

New Atlanticist

May 20, 2022

Russian War Report: Russian forces use incendiary munitions in Mariupol

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

New photo and video evidence suggests that the Russian military continues to use incendiary and cluster munitions against Ukrainian forces.

Disinformation Eastern Europe
Using drone footage supplied by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the DFRLab confirmed the incident took place near the Russian town of Belohorivka. (Source: @DefenceU/archive)

New Atlanticist

May 13, 2022

Russian War Report: Drone footage confirms failed Russian military pontoon crossing 

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The DFRLab geolocated drone footage that showed the obliteration of the Russian unit that tried to cross the Siversky Donets in the Donbas region.

Disinformation Eastern Europe
An explosion outside the US Capitol building

Annual Report

May 10, 2022

Digital Forensic Research Lab

By Atlantic Council

In 2021 the DFRLab built transparency and accountability online and around the world to promote free and open societies.

Bonnie and Clyde’s cameo during Russian Victory Day celebrations. (Source: @JuliaDavisNews/archive)

New Atlanticist

May 10, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia accidentally honors Bonnie and Clyde during Victory Day celebration

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

During a Victory Day celebration, Kremlin TV featured a photo of infamous American criminals Bonnie and Clyde during a slideshow of alleged Soviet WWII veterans.

Civil Society Disinformation