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

AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Sep 24, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: September 22, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Investigators from the United Nations (UN) published a report on September 16, 2020, with evidence of “unlawful executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions and torture” in Venezuela that have taken place since 2014.

Disinformation Venezuela

Elections 2020

Sep 23, 2020

Ahead of the 2020 US elections, the disinformation threat is more domestic than foreign

By Larry Luxner

Three top journalists and editors working at the intersection of national security, technology, and elections discussed the challenges they’re facing on a daily basis with the conspiracy theories, misinformation, and lies percolating online ahead of the US elections.

Civil Society Disinformation

Elections 2020

Sep 22, 2020

Five big questions as America votes: Disinformation

By DFRLab

Whether the mis- or disinformation is foreign or domestic in origin, an information environment rife with confusing, polarizing, and often false narratives can only serve to further divide an already tense nation.

China Disinformation
Belarus Rally

Article

Sep 21, 2020

Pro-Lukashenka Telegram channels amplify each other to smear protesters

By Nika Aleksejeva

Several Telegram channels supporting Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka are actively amplifying each other’s content in an attempt to discredit anti-Lukashenka protesters while mobilizing supporters to attend pro-government rallies.

Belarus Disinformation
Maria Kolesnikova

Article

Sep 15, 2020

Belarus state media botch reporting on a botched abduction

By Nika Aleksejeva

After a foiled abduction of three Belarusian opposition members, Belarus state-owned media outlets stuck to the official version of events, despite mounting evidence of inconsistencies in the story.

Belarus Disinformation
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Sep 15, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: September 15, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

After the Kremlin announced that Sputnik V – the Russian-funded vaccine for COVID‑19 – would be disseminated in Latin America during phase three trials, accounts aligned with the Maduro regime were the most engaged-with on Twitter promoting “Sputnik V.”

Disinformation Venezuela
Pro-Lukashenka Gathering

Article

Sep 9, 2020

Incorrect footage exaggerates size of pro-Lukashenka protest in Vilnius

By Lukas Andriukaitis

While reporting on a pro-Lukashenka gathering in Lithuania, Belarusian state media broadcast footage from a rally in Belarus instead.

Belarus Disinformation
Маргарита Симоньян

Article

Sep 8, 2020

Kremlin commentators smear Belarus opposition leaders

By Nika Aleksejeva

An online ecosystem of pro-Kremlin sources, including RT and Sputnik, amplified unsubstantiated rumors to undermine Belarusian opposition leaders and demonstrators.

Belarus Disinformation
AlertaVenezuela email banner

#AlertaVenezuela

Sep 8, 2020

#AlertaVenezuela: September 08, 2020

By Atlantic Council's DFRLab

Accounts aligned with the Maduro regime pushed #MasCaprilesMenosGuaido (More Capriles, less Guaidó) to trend as a means of influencing the Twitter conversation after Henrique Capriles and Juan Guaidó traded accusations around the upcoming parliamentary elections. #MasCaprilesMenosGuaido trended on September 3 and September 4, however, most of the mentions (tweets, retweets, and replies) have seemingly since been deleted or removed.

Disinformation Venezuela
Belarus State Media Interference

Article

Sep 2, 2020

State media English-language coverage of Belarus propagates claims of Western interference

By Jacqueline Malaret

Pro-Kremlin outlets unsuccessfully push narrative that ongoing protests are yet another “color revolution” supported by the West.

Belarus Disinformation