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

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

New Atlanticist

Feb 29, 2024

Experts react: What Biden’s new executive order about Americans’ sensitive data really does

By Atlantic Council experts

US President Joe Biden just issued an executive order restricting the large-scale transfer of personal data to “countries of concern.” Atlantic Council experts share their insights.

Cybersecurity
Digital Policy

Issue Brief

Feb 29, 2024

Two-pronged approach to Africa pays dividends for Russia

By the Digital Forensic Research Lab

In the African countries with which Russia has longstanding ties, diplomats lead the way. Elsewhere on the continent, Wagner Group fighters are Moscow's more active representatives. Both official and covert approaches exploit local grievances to push Russia's narrative.

Africa
Disinformation

Issue Brief

Feb 29, 2024

In Europe and the South Caucasus, the Kremlin leans on energy blackmail and scare tactics

By the Digital Forensic Research Lab

Moscow tried to sow fear among Moldovans, Georgians, and Armenians that what happened to Ukrainians could happen to them.

Disinformation
Internet

Issue Brief

Feb 29, 2024

In Ukraine, Russia tries to discredit leaders and amplify internal divisions

By the Digital Forensic Research Lab

On the information front, Russia had two goals in year two of its war: convince Ukrainians of their government’s inability to rule the country honestly, and persuade Ukraine’s allies that investing in Ukraine would be wasteful.

Disinformation
Internet

Issue Brief

Feb 29, 2024

After Prigozhin, Russia clamps down online

By the Digital Forensic Research Lab

Russia rolled out a new internet surveillance system in 2023 to crack down domestically on anti-war content, while pushing false narratives to undermine Ukraine at home and abroad.

Civil Society
Disinformation

Issue Brief

Feb 29, 2024

Complicated history helps Russian narratives about Ukraine find a foothold in the Middle East

By the Digital Forensic Research Lab

Across the Arabic-speaking world, the narratives amplified by Russian state media and local media partners are framed in a way that appeals to audiences in the region and their complicated history with the West.

Democratic Transitions
Disinformation