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 24, 2021

Ashish Jha: Doctors must train for the new battlefield of information—social media

By Atlantic Council

This fireside chat between Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University’s School of Public Health, and Renee DiResta, research manager of the Stanford Internet Observatory, explored the long-lasting effects of the COVID-19 “infodemic” and how the misinformation research community can work with health professionals to restore and protect public trust.

Civil Society
Coronavirus

New Atlanticist

Jun 24, 2021

Fighting online extremism in ‘the Klan den of the twenty-first century’

By Nick Fouriezos

How can civil society groups, law enforcement, and policymakers assess and combat the threat of online extremism? Experts at the Digital Forensic Research Lab's 360/Open Summit dive in.

Disinformation
Extremism

New Atlanticist

Jun 22, 2021

Former Wikipedia chief on fighting censorship and potentially paying contributors to address diversity gaps

By Nick Fouriezos

Katherine Maher appeared at the 360/Open Summit, hosted by the Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab, to discuss how tech can earn the public's trust.

Civil Society
Disinformation

Transcript

Jun 22, 2021

Katherine Maher on how big tech can be as trusted as Wikipedia

By Atlantic Council

The former Wikimedia CEO joined 360/Open Summit, hosted by the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensics Research Lab. Here's a transcript of the discussion.

Civil Society
Disinformation

MENASource

May 26, 2021

Event Recap: After the Insurrection: Domestic Violent Extremism and the Intelligence Challenge

By Hezha Barzani

The Atlantic Council hosted an event examining domestic violent extremism and the failures in intelligence analysis and warnings that allowed the storming of the Capitol building on January 6. Read the key takeaways.

Defense Policy
Democratic Transitions

Fast Thinking

May 5, 2021

FAST THINKING: Trump’s post-Facebook future

By Atlantic Council

Facebook's Oversight Board ruled Wednesday that former US President Donald Trump will remain banned from the platform for encouraging the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. And what consequences is it likely to have on online radicalization and the use and abuse of social media around the world?

Disinformation
Technology & Innovation
Tbilsi, Georgia

Report

Apr 19, 2021

Fighting for the hearts and minds of Sakartvelo: The Georgian information environment during the 2020 parliamentary election

By Eto Buziashvili, Givi Gigitashvili, Sopo Gelava, Graham Brookie, Andy Carvin, Iain Robertson, Zarine Kharazian

A technical analysis of how various online actors, both foreign and domestic, attempted to manipulate public opinion and influence the recent Georgian parliamentary election results.

Disinformation
Elections
Nicolas Maduro

In-Depth Research & Reports

Apr 7, 2021

Digital Autocracy: Maduro’s control of the Venezuelan information environment

By Esteban Ponce de León, Daniel Suárez Pérez

A 16-month monitoring report that analyzes the information environment in Venezuela, exploring the Maduro regime’s tactics when promoting influence operations in the country and abroad.

Disinformation
Latin America

Fast Thinking

Mar 26, 2021

FAST THINKING: A glimpse into our digital future at the latest tech hearing on Capitol Hill

By Atlantic Council

This wasn’t just another tech hearing. It was the first since the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill. It was focused on extremism and misinformation. And our team at the Digital Forensic Research Lab, which is all over these issues, tells us that lawmakers came at their questioning in a new way that offers insight into what our digital future could look like.

Digital Policy
Disinformation
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Mar 24, 2021

#AlertaVenezuela: March 24, 2021

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Maduro, blaming Colomiba and Venezuelans returning from there for the spread of COVID-19, has called for a "radical quarantine" over two weeks.

Disinformation
Venezuela