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

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

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