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

STAY CONNECTED

Receive the latest research, along with discussions about disinformation and tech issues.

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.

LATEST RESEARCH

PROJECTS

Upcoming & Recent Events

Employment opportunities

There are no employment opportunities currently open.

From the archives

Experts

Content

A Belarusian soldier of the 11th separate mechanized brigade participates in a previous combat exercise on Feb 16, 2022. (Source: EYEPRESS via Reuters Connect)

New Atlanticist

May 6, 2022

Russian War Report: Belarus launches “combat preparedness test”

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Belarusian military began unannounced combat drills, the Kremlin drops the term "denazification," and a Latin American RT influencer resigns.

Belarus Disinformation
File photo of Russian firefighter. (Source: EMERCOM)

New Atlanticist

May 3, 2022

Russian War Report: New fires and alleged sabotage operations across Russian territory 

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Over the past week, numerous strategic facilities on Russian territory have caught fire drawing accusation of sabotage. 

Disinformation Human Rights
Plumes of smoke rise after a fire erupts at an oil depot in Bryansk, Russia April 25, 2022 in this still image obtained from social media video. Natalya Krutova via REUTERS

New Atlanticist

Apr 26, 2022

Russian War Report: Geolocating fires in Bryansk

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

On April 25, large fires were reported in Bryansk, Russia, just 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. DFRLab geolocated the fires to confirm an armed forces fuel depot was damaged.

Belarus Disinformation
Pro-Russia telegram channel circulated what it claimed was proof that Ukraine planned to sell weapons to African countries. (Source: Rezident)

New Atlanticist

Apr 22, 2022

Russian War Report: Forged document claims Ukraine is selling surplus weapons to African countries

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

A Kremlin-tied Telegram channel published a forged document claiming that Ukraine was selling surplus weapons to African countries.

Africa Disinformation
In this photo illustration the Google Maps logo seen displayed on a smartphone and in the background. (Photo by Rafael Henrique / SOPA Images/Sipa USA)No Use Germany.

New Atlanticist

Apr 20, 2022

Russian War Report: Google refutes misleading claims about blurring Russian military assets

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Thousands of posts online claim Google Maps unblurred satellite images of Russian military installations. Meanwhile, Russia hesitates to ban YouTube and a troll campaign distracts from Bucha.

Disinformation Internet
Map of the global south in which China uses discourse power.

Report

Apr 20, 2022

China’s discourse power operations in the Global South

By Kenton Thibaut

An overview of China’s discourse power activities in the Global South, including the regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. It outlines the processes through which China leverages its diplomatic, media, and political positions in these regions to gain influence, and assesses the impacts of these activities for democratic resilience worldwide.

Africa China
Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council Oleksiy Danilov addresses the media in Kyiv, Ukraine February 23, 2022.

New Atlanticist

Apr 18, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia falsely accuses Ukraine of provoking conflict even after it knew war was coming

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Russia has rehashed several old narratives in their continued attempts to justify the war in Ukraine including misrepresented statements from Ukrainian officials.

Belarus Disinformation
A sailor looks at the Russian missile cruiser Moskva moored in the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Sevastopol, Ukraine 10, 2013. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

New Atlanticist

Apr 15, 2022

Russian War Report: Competing narratives about the sinking of Russia’s Moskva warship

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Following Ukraine's alleged sinking of Russia's Moskva warship just off the coast of Odesa, the Kremlin's narrative as to why has continued to shift.

Defense Technologies Disinformation
Rossiya TV video claiming to show Ukrainians dressing mannequins actually originated from behind-the-scenes footage of a Russian TV series. (Source: Rossiya TV)

New Atlanticist

Apr 13, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia promotes misleading video accusing Ukraine of using mannequins as casualties

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Kremlin-controlled TV network Rossiya 24 broadcast a misleading video claiming that mannequins were being used in Ukraine to stage war casualties.

Belarus Disinformation
Content moderator

New Atlanticist

Apr 11, 2022

Russian War Report: Facebook takes down inauthentic networks targeting Ukraine

By DFRLab

Facebook removed an online Russian and Belarusian network targeting Ukrainians named Ghostwriter while more Russian Twitter accounts turn to VK and Telegram.

Belarus Disinformation