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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Democracy + Tech Initiative

DTI 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

The Big Story

Oct 17, 2024

Apocalypse later?

By By Dean Jackson and Meghan Conroy

A consensus among experts is emerging that AI’s chief short-term impact on elections will not be to create wholly new problems but rather to make previous threats more common and easier to carry out by a wider array of actors, leading to a higher volume of disinformation, cyberattacks, and other issues.

Elections United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Sep 4, 2024

Experts react: The US just accused Russia of meddling in the 2024 election. Here’s what to know.

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts share their insights on the Biden administration’s newly announced response to what it alleges is an expansive malign influence operation by the Kremlin.

Disinformation Economic Sanctions

Issue Brief

Jul 30, 2024

Effective US government strategies to address China’s information influence

By Kenton Thibaut

To mount the most effective response to Chinese influence and the threat it poses to democratic interests at home and on the international stage, the United States should develop a global information strategy, one that reflects the interconnected nature of regulatory, industrial, and diplomatic policies with regard to the information domain.

China Digital Policy

Fast Thinking

Jul 29, 2024

Can Maduro hold onto power?

By Atlantic Council

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has claimed victory despite evidence of fraud and intimidation. What will the opposition and the international community do next?

Democratic Transitions Elections

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2024

Experts react: Maduro is clinging to power after a disputed election. What’s next for Venezuela?

By Atlantic Council experts

Venezuela’s National Electoral Council has declared incumbent Nicolás Maduro as the winner of Sunday’s presidential election, in the face of widespread accounts of voter intimidation and other irregularities.

Corruption Elections

Report

Jul 22, 2024

How Venezuela became a model for digital authoritarianism

By Iria Puyosa, Andrés Azpúrua, Daniel Suárez Pérez

As Venezuelans head to the polls on July 28, the massive online surveillance apparatus developed under incumbent Nicolás Maduro watches street video, monitors social media and phone communications, and gathers data from online movements. What's behind this digital repression—and will it spread?

Corruption Latin America

Report

Jun 12, 2024

Intentionally vague: How Saudi Arabia and Egypt abuse legal systems to suppress online speech

By Dina Sadek, Layla Mashkoor, Iain Robertson, Andy Carvin

Egypt and Saudi Arabia are weaponizing vaguely written domestic media, cybercrime, and counterterrorism laws to target and suppress dissent, opposition, and vulnerable groups.

Digital Policy Disinformation

Press Release

May 21, 2024

Atlantic Council announces establishment of Atlantic Council Technology Programs

The Atlantic Council announced today the establishment of the Atlantic Council Technology Programs (ACtech), which will bring together five innovative Atlantic Council programs with technology as a core focus. 

New Atlanticist

May 6, 2024

Dispatch from Tbilisi: Amid Georgia’s battle for democracy, Russian influence is already here

By Eto Buziashvili

The West has criticized Georgia's “foreign agent” law. Now it must take action to help defend democracy and the rule of law in Georgia.

Politics & Diplomacy Rule of Law

New Atlanticist

Mar 13, 2024

Will the US crack down on TikTok? Six questions (and expert answers) about the bill in Congress.

By Atlantic Council experts

The US House has just passed a bill to force the Chinese company ByteDance to either divest from TikTok or face a ban in the United States.

China Cybersecurity

Events