DFRLab: A look back at 2024

From tracking 75+ foreign interference cases in the US election to exposing inauthentic ops in the Middle East and Russia’s disinformation targeting Ukraine, DFRLab’s team worked tirelessly across 5 continents.

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The Source Newsletter

Receive the latest research, along with discussions about disinformation and tech issues.

Read our latest research

The Digital Forensic Research Lab is a first of its kind organization with technical and policy expertise on disinformation, connective technologies, democracy, and the future of digital rights. Read the DFRLab’s latest case studies, learn about our initiatives, and more at DFRLab.org

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Scaling trust on the web

Report

Jun 21, 2023

Scaling trust on the web

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Task Force for a Trustworthy Future Web’s report captures analysis of the systems gaps and critical opportunities that will define how the next generation of online spaces will be constructed.

Russian narrative reports

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Feb 22, 2023

Narrative warfare

By Nika Aleksejeva, Andy Carvin, Eto Buziashvili

In the weeks and months leading up to Russia invading Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the Kremlin and pro-Kremlin media employed false and misleading narratives to justify military action against Ukraine, mask the Kremlin’s operational planning, and deny any responsibility for the coming war. Dive into a full accounting of the road to war.
Disinformation Russia
Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Feb 22, 2023

Undermining Ukraine

By Roman Osadchuk, Andy Carvin

From the very start of the war, the Kremlin emphasized demoralizing Ukrainian audiences and destroying their will to fight. Building on daily monitoring of the Kremlin media ecosystem, this report analyzes Russia’s attempts to undermine Ukraine by targeting local, regional, and global audiences since February 2022.
Disinformation Russia

Democracy + Tech Initiative

The DFRLab’s Democracy + Tech Initiative creates policy practices that align global stakeholders toward tech and governance that reinforces, rather than undermines, open societies. This initiative builds on the DFRLab’s leadership in the OSINT field, empowering global communities to promote transparency and accountability.

Task Force for a Trustworthy Future Web

The Task Force for a Trustworthy Future Web will chart a clear and action-oriented roadmap for future online ecosystems to protect users’ rights, support innovation, and center trust and safety principles.

Foreign Interference Attribution Tracker

The DFRLab’s Foreign Interference Attribution Tracker (FIAT) is an interactive, open-source database that tracks allegations of foreign interference or foreign malign influence relevant to the 2024 U.S. presidential election. We map the actors, methods, and impact associated with each campaign. We also independently evaluate the credibility, bias, evidence, transparency of the underlying claim. Explore the data by scrolling through the visualization and table below. Hover over a point to see details about a particular case.

The Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab is building the world’s leading hub of digital forensic analysts (#DigitalSherlocks).

The DFRLab

At the Atlantic Council’s DFRLab, our mission is:

To identify, expose, and explain disinformation where and when it occurs using open source research; to promote objective truth as a foundation of government for and by people; to protect democratic institutions and norms from those who would seek to undermine them in the digital engagement space.

To create a new model of expertise adapted for impact and real-world results.

To forge digital resilience at a time when humans are more interconnected than at any point in history, by building the world’s leading hub of digital forensic analysts tracking events in governance, technology, security, and where each intersect as they occur, as well as a network of #DigitalSherlocks.

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Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Jun 21, 2023

Scaling trust on the web

The Task Force for a Trustworthy Future Web’s report captures analysis of the systems gaps and critical opportunities that will define how the next generation of online spaces will be constructed.

Read More
Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Aug 14, 2023

Protecting point-to-point messaging apps: Understanding Telegram, WeChat, and WhatsApp in the United States

By Iria Puyosa

A year-long project on protecting users’ data and privacy that analyzes the growing use of point-to-point messaging platforms in the United States and the implications their design and governing policies have for user privacy and free speech.
Civil Society Digital Policy
Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Aug 8, 2023

Sudan’s precarious information environment and the fight for democracy

By Tessa Knight, Lujain Alsedeg

An examination of the time from December 2018, when protests against then-president Omar al-Bashir first broke out, and December 2022, when a framework agreement between civilian and military leaders came into play.

Africa Civil Society
Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Aug 2, 2023

Chinese discourse power: Capabilities and impact

By Kenton Thibaut

An examination of China’s online and offline channels for the dissemination of “discourse power” and the mechanisms of oversight on which such communications rely.
China Digital Policy
Digital Forensic Research Lab

In-Depth Research & Reports Jun 29, 2023

The disinformation landscape in West Africa and beyond

By Tessa Knight, Jean le Roux

A look at West Africa’s information environment, with particular emphasis on local and international disinformation campaigns targeting the region and beyond.
Africa Digital Policy
Digital Forensic Research Lab

In-Depth Research & Reports Aug 24, 2022

Chinese discourse power: Ambitions and reality in the digital domain

By Kenton Thibaut

The CCP has embarked on a concerted strategy to gain control over the global digital and information environment. Its goal: create an alternative global order with China at its heart.
China Digital Policy
Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Apr 20, 2022

China’s discourse power operations in the Global South

By Kenton Thibaut

An overview of China’s discourse power activities in the Global South, including the regions of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. It outlines the processes through which China leverages its diplomatic, media, and political positions in these regions to gain influence, and assesses the impacts of these activities for democratic resilience worldwide.
Africa China
Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Feb 22, 2023

Narrative warfare

By Nika Aleksejeva, Andy Carvin, Eto Buziashvili

In the weeks and months leading up to Russia invading Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the Kremlin and pro-Kremlin media employed false and misleading narratives to justify military action against Ukraine, mask the Kremlin’s operational planning, and deny any responsibility for the coming war. Dive into a full accounting of the road to war.
Disinformation Russia
Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Feb 22, 2023

Undermining Ukraine

By Roman Osadchuk, Andy Carvin

From the very start of the war, the Kremlin emphasized demoralizing Ukrainian audiences and destroying their will to fight. Building on daily monitoring of the Kremlin media ecosystem, this report analyzes Russia’s attempts to undermine Ukraine by targeting local, regional, and global audiences since February 2022.
Disinformation Russia
Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Feb 16, 2022

Financing & genocide: Development finance and the crisis in the Uyghur Region

By Laura T. Murphy, Kendyl Salcito, Nyrola Elimä

A joint report that reveals how the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) has significant investments in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where indigenous peoples have been subjected to what international legislators, legal scholars, and advocates have determined to be a genocide.
China International Financial Institutions
Digital Forensic Research Lab

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
Digital Forensic Research Lab

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
Digital Forensic Research Lab

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
Digital Forensic Research Lab

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
Digital Forensic Research Lab

In-Depth Research & Reports Feb 14, 2021

Weaponized: How rumors about COVID-19’s origins led to a narrative arms race

By Luiza Bandeira, Nika Aleksejeva, Tessa Knight, Jean le Roux, Graham Brookie, Iain Robertson, Andy Carvin, Zarine Kharazian

A joint research project from the Digital Forensic Research Lab and the Associate Press on information environments during the first six months of COVID-19.
China Coronavirus
Digital Forensic Research Lab

In-Depth Research & Reports Dec 17, 2020

Countering Chinese disinformation reports

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

A series of reports on countering Chinese disinformation campaigns around the globe from the Digital Forensic Research Lab and Asia Security Initiative, housed in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security.
China Digital Policy
Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Jun 22, 2019

Operation Secondary Infektion

By Nika Aleksejeva, Lukas Andriukaitis, Luiza Bandeira, Donara Barojan, Graham Brookie, Eto Buziashvili, Andy Carvin, Kanishk Karan, Ben Nimmo, Iain Robertson, and Michael Sheldon

A Russian-based information operation used fake accounts, forged documents, and dozens of online platforms to spread stories.
Disinformation English
Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Sep 7, 2018

Breaking Ghouta

By Lukas Andriukaitis, Emma Beals, Graham Brookie, Eliot Higgins, Faysal Itani, Ben Nimmo, Michael Sheldon, Elizabeth Tsurkov, Nick Waters

This report offers a record of serial violations of international norms and a basis for holding the perpetrators accountable for their atrocities.
Arabic Conflict
Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Feb 13, 2017

Breaking Aleppo

By Maks Czuperski, Emma Beals, Faysal Itani, Eliot Higgins, and Ben Nimmo

The DFRLab’s report captures the final months of the breaking of Aleppo using innovative open source methodologies and geolocation analysis.
Conflict Disinformation
Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Apr 5, 2016

Distract Deceive Destroy

By Maksymilian Czuperski, Eliot Higgins, Frederic Hof, Ben Nimmo, and John E. Herbst

Using digital forensic research and open source investigation methods, Distract Deceive Destroy presents the reality of Russia’s Syrian campaign.
Conflict Disinformation
Digital Forensic Research Lab

Report Oct 15, 2015

Hiding in plain sight: Putin’s war in Ukraine

By Maksymilian Czuperski, John Herbst, Eliot Higgins, Alina Polyakova, Damon Wilson

Drawing upon open source information, Hiding in Plain Sight: Putin’s War in Ukraine provides irrefutable evidence of direct Russian military involvement in eastern Ukraine.
Conflict Disinformation

Employment opportunities

Experts

Staff

Dominique Ramsawak

Associate Director, Communications

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy Disinformation

Staff

Iryna Adam

Research Associate

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Eastern Europe English

Fellow

Grace Abuhamad

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy Internet

Staff

Nika Aleksejeva

Resident Fellow, Baltics

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Belarus Disinformation

Fellow

Lukas Andriukaitis

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Eastern Europe
Ana Arriagada

Staff

Ana Arriagada

Assistant Director, Latin America

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Brazil Civil Society
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Content

BelarusFlag

Article

Aug 24, 2020

Activists use Telegram to coordinate Belarus protests

By Nika Aleksejeva

Amid ongoing economic integration talks between Russia and Belarus, eight channels attacked opponents of integration and spread pro-Kremlin narratives.

Belarus Disinformation
Aisha Karim

Blog Post

Aug 20, 2020

#DFRLabCoffeeBreak with Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism, Aisha Abdool Karim

DFRLab's Research Assistant, Tessa Knight sits down with Aisha Abdool Karim, journalist for the Bhekisisa Centre for Health Journalism to discuss South Africa's fight against COVID-19 and the disinformation surrounding it.

Africa Disinformation
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Aug 19, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: August 19, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

After U.S. authorities seized four vessels carrying fuel from Iran to Venezuela, pro-Maduro media amplified Iran’s claim that the United States “lie[d]” and that the Iranian shipment had no direct connection to Iran.

Disinformation Venezuela

Blog Post

Aug 13, 2020

#DFRLabCoffeeBreak with InternetLab Head of Research Heloisa Massaro

DFRLab's Assignment Editor and Research Associate, Luiza Bandeira sits down with Heloisa Massaro, Head of Research at InternetLab to discuss COVID-19, disinformation, and Brazil.

Brazil Disinformation

Stories of Resilience

Aug 12, 2020

Food relief on the frontlines

By Andrea Snyder

The world is facing an unprecedented global health crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Resilience & Society United States and Canada
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Aug 11, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: August 12, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

After the detention of former Colombian President and current Senator Álvaro Uribe on August 4, 2020, political leaders in the region such as Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado warned that Colombia would become a regime like Venezuela and targeted Nicolás Maduro as responsible for the arrest as well. Machado’s claim was amplified by Colombian congresspeople supporting Uribe and appeared among the most watched videos on Facebook.

Disinformation Venezuela

Blog Post

Aug 6, 2020

#DFRLabCoffeeBreak with Bellingcat Lead Investigator Christo Grozev

Christo Grozev is Lead Russia investigator for Bellingcat focusing on security threats, extraterritorial clandestine operations, and the weaponization of information. He and Senior Fellow Jakub Kalensý discuss the incredible conspiracy and propaganda surrounding the downing of flight MH 17 over Ukraine in 2014 and its ongoing trial. The DFRLab Coffee Break is a video series […]

Disinformation Europe & Eurasia
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Aug 4, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: August 04, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Following his arrest, two accounts supporting Colombian businessman Alex Saab attacked Colombian and Venezuelan journalists using violent language and threats on Twitter, which is prohibited by Twitter’s policy on safety. One of the accounts – @DenunciaJulio – also showed possible links to Colombian law firm De La Espriella, which represented Saab until July 2019.

Disinformation Venezuela

Blog Post

Jul 30, 2020

#DFRLabCoffeeBreak with Investigative Reporter, Jared Holt

The DFRLab Coffee Break is a video series meant to discuss how disinformation and digital change affect industries, policy making, and society with a community of experts, academics, and leaders from around the world. Our guest for this conversation is Jared Holt, investigative reporter for Right-Wing Watch and host of the SH!TPOST Podcast. With DFRLab […]

Disinformation Extremism
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Jul 28, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: July 28, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

On July 21-23, 2020, Twitter accounts petitioning U.S. President Donald Trump for a military intervention in Venezeula also pushed four hashtags to trend that promoted anti-socialist messaging against Juan Guaidó and Nicolás Maduro. The accounts, all of which had set their locations to Venezuela, showed signs of inauthenticity and platform manipulation, such as posting duplicative content and creating fake engagement.

Disinformation Venezuela
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