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

Event Recap

Jul 30, 2021

Securing digital infrastructure: How transatlantic partners can lead transformative investment in global connectivity

By Alyxandra Marine

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Rep. Ro Khanna, and NSC Sr. Director Peter Harrell spoke at the Atlantic Council on challenges to securing infrastructure and the promise of a "trusted connectivity" approach.

China
Cybersecurity
Informaition Defense

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 22, 2021

Information defense: Policy measures taken against foreign information manipulation

By Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer

A joint report from the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab and Europe Center on the policy measures government and private sector can take against foreign information manipulation.

Cybersecurity
Digital Policy

Transcript

Jul 14, 2021

Estonian Prime Minister H.E. Kaja Kallas on securing digital infrastructure with ‘trusted connectivity’

By Atlantic Council

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Rep. Ro Khanna, and NSC Sr. Director Peter Harrell speak at the Atlantic Council on challenges to securing infrastructure and the promise of a "trusted connectivity" approach.

China
Cybersecurity

New Atlanticist

Jul 1, 2021

Estonian president: Our connected world needs a trusted architecture

By Nick Fouriezos

Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid and Anne Neuberger, deputy US national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology, made the case for "trusted connectivity" at the Atlantic Council.

Cybersecurity
Digital Policy

Transcript

Jun 30, 2021

Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid on combating digital threats with ‘trusted connectivity’

By Atlantic Council

The Estonian president and Anne Neuberger, US deputy national security advisor for cybersecurity and emerging technology, appeared at the Atlantic Council to discuss the world's digital challenges ahead. Here's the full transcript.

Cybersecurity
Internet

New Atlanticist

Jun 25, 2021

Behind the European Union’s plan to rewrite the rules of online life

By Nick Fouriezos

The drafters of Europe's Digital Services Act joined the 360/Open Summit, hosted by the Digital Forensic Research Lab.

Digital Policy
Economy & Business

Transcript

Jun 25, 2021

US Rep. Tom Malinowski: The evolution of big tech and social media places strain on democracies worldwide

By Atlantic Council

"If the United States is going to do its part to win this contest [between democracy and authoritarianism], we’ve got to be aligned with others around the world who share our values. One country alone, even as powerful as America, can’t do this by ourselves," Malinowski told the DFRLab's 360/Open Summit.

China
Disinformation

Transcript

Jun 25, 2021

Maria Ressa, Nanjala Nyabola, and Katherine Maher on why social media is—and is not—a global public square

By Atlantic Council

Is social media a global digital public square? The DFRLab's 360/Open Summit gathered Maria Ressa, Nanjala Nyabola, and Katherine Maher to discuss platforms' role in the online world.

Africa
Civil Society

New Atlanticist

Jun 25, 2021

How to spot the latest trends in digital disinformation

By Nick Fouriezos

Top tech journalists joined the 360/Open Summit, hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab, to discuss how tech platforms can enhance accountability and transparency

Disinformation
India

Transcript

Jun 24, 2021

Hong Kong activist Nathan Law on how virtual communities empower citizen movements

By Atlantic Council

The internet has created a virtual community of democracy activists that supports movements and broadcasts voices around the world. Nathan Law describes why he thinks it shapes citizen movements in Hong Kong.

China
Civil Society