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

Article

Sep 29, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Inauthentic Activity Tested Ahead Naming Referendum

By Vladimir Petreski and Kanishk Karan

Ahead of the September 30 nationwide referendum to determine the country’s name, Macedonia remains on high alert for disinformation from at home and abroad.

Disinformation Elections

Article

Sep 28, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Fascist Falsification Ahead of Macedonian Referendum

By Vladimir Petreski

Ahead of Macedonia’s naming referendum on September 30, Nazi imagery and accusations have been inserted into the political dialogue online.

Disinformation Elections

2018 Elections in Latin America

Sep 24, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Migration to Gab in Brazil

By Luiza Bandeira

A significant number of Brazilians joined the social network Gab.ai after Twitter suspended accounts associated with the far-right in the country.

Brazil Disinformation

Article

Sep 23, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Sputnik Misleading in Macedonia

By Kanishk Karan

Macedonia’s information environment is becoming clouded with distorted and polarizing narratives by some Russian media outlets, especially from Sputnik .

Disinformation Elections

Article

Sep 22, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Trumped Up and Down in Macedonia

By Vladimir Petreski

Ahead of Macedonia’s naming referendum on September 30, the boycott proponents attempted to disparage similar nationalist sentiment in the United States.

Disinformation Elections

Article

Sep 19, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Fast and False in Brazil

By Luiza Bandeira

Brazil will elect a new president, new state governors, and a new Congress in two rounds of voting  —  the first on October 7 and the second on October 28.

Brazil Disinformation

Article

Sep 14, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Boycott campaign in Macedonia features familiar characters

By Kanishk Karan

Leading up to the approaching referendum date, an online campaign called #Бојкотира (translates to #boycott) is steadily growing on Twitter and Facebook.

Disinformation Elections
Breaking Ghouta

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

2018 Elections in Latin America

Aug 30, 2018

#ElectionWatch: URSAL, Illuminati, and Brazil’s YouTube Subculture

By Luiza Bandeira

YouTube played an important role in the spread of the ­­United Socialist Republics of Latin America (URSAL) conspiracy theory in Brazil.

Brazil Disinformation

2018 Elections in Latin America

Aug 28, 2018

#ElectionWatch: As Colombia votes again, misinformation flows

By Jose Luis Peñarredonda

On Sunday, August 26, Colombians went to the polls again. A significant share of the campaigning involved spreading misinformation  —  or countering it.

Colombia Disinformation