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

New Atlanticist

Jan 28, 2022

Russian Hybrid Threats Report: Kremlin pushes claims about Ukrainian offensive, ‘junk’ weapons from West

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab is tracking the latest from Russian troop movements to social media conspiracy theories to Duma debates.

Belarus Conflict

New Atlanticist

Jan 25, 2022

Russian Hybrid Threats Report: A push to recognize Ukrainian regions as independent states

By the Digital Forensic Research Lab

Amid a legislative push to recognize the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states, Russia is spinning narratives of NATO aggression and continuing to mass troops and materiel near Ukraine.

Belarus Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Jan 21, 2022

Russian Hybrid Threats Report: Troops arrive in Belarus as propaganda narratives heat up

By the Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Digital Forensic Research Lab’s global team presents the first installment of the Russian Hybrid Threats Report.

Conflict Crisis Management

In the News

Jan 14, 2022

Dagres’ Atlantic Council report on Iranian social media mentioned in Politico’s Morning Tech newsletter

By Atlantic Council

Digital Policy Media

In the News

Jan 13, 2022

Dagres quoted in Washington Post on internet freedom in Iran

By Atlantic Council

Human Rights Internet

Report

Jan 13, 2022

Iranians on #SocialMedia

By Holly Dagres

This report by the Future of Iran Initiative and Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) explores the social media habits of Iranian netizens and how the Islamic Republic is repressing the online space.

Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion Human Rights

Report

Jan 4, 2022

After the insurrection: How domestic extremists adapted and evolved after the January 6 US Capitol attack

By Jared Holt

This report by the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) provides an overview and analysis of the shifts observed in domestic extremist movements since the 2021 Capitol attack.

Elections Rule of Law

Issue briefs and reports

Jan 4, 2022

Experts react to the year since January 6

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Domestic extremism experts weigh in on the year since the January 6 attack and their perspectives on continuing threats to US democracy.

Elections Media

Transcript

Dec 14, 2021

Inside a new effort to define and promote tech transparency

By Atlantic Council

Our Digital Forensic Research Lab joined with partner organizations to launch the Action Coalition, a group organized under the Danish government's Technology for Democracy Initiative that will spend a year searching for clarity and progress on transparency in tech.

Digital Policy Disinformation

Fast Thinking

Dec 10, 2021

FAST THINKING: Biden just held the biggest gathering of democratic world leaders ever. What are the results?

By Atlantic Council

Our experts—former US government officials with frontline democracy experience—share their insights on what to make of the big event and what to expect next.

China International Norms