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

STAY CONNECTED

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

ABOUT US

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.

LATEST RESEARCH

PROJECTS

Upcoming & Recent Events

Employment opportunities

There are no employment opportunities currently open.

From the archives

Experts

Content

2018 Elections in Latin America

Aug 17, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Bots Around Brazil’s First Presidential Debate

By Marco Ruediger, Director of the Department of Analyses and Public Policy, Fundação Getúlio Vargas

A piece published by the website República de Curitiba claimed Twitter “removed” mentions of right-wing candidate Jair Bolsonaro during the debate.

Brazil Disinformation

2018 Elections in Latin America

Aug 15, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Loves For Sale In Brazil

By Ben Nimmo, Maria Fernanda Perez Arguello, Jose Luis Peñarredonda, and Kanishk Karan

A group of apparently young Brazilians is running a network of Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts to trade engagement for cash.

Brazil Disinformation

2018 Elections in Latin America

Aug 12, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Partisan Media Deepens Divides in Colombia

By Jose Luis Peñarredonda

During recent elections in Colombia, entities on all ends of the political spectrum spread misinformation and editorialized to suit varied agendas.

Colombia Disinformation

In the News

Aug 2, 2018

Graham Brookie quoted in The New York Times on Disinformation campaigns on Facebook

By Atlantic Council

Graham Brookie spoke to the New York Times about the DFRLab's analysis of fake influence campaigns discovered on Facebook.

Disinformation English

In the News

Aug 1, 2018

Graham Brookie quoted by Vice on election interference campaigns on Facebook

By Atlantic Council

Graham Brookie spoke to Vice about the removal of Facebook pages tied to an election interference campaign on the platform.

Disinformation English

2018 Elections in Latin America

Jul 20, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Everyday Misinformation in Colombia

By Jose Luis Peñarredonda

Colombia's presidential election was rife with concerns over the impact disinformation and misinformation on voter behavior and the overall election.

Colombia Disinformation

2018 Elections in Latin America

Jun 30, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Bot Battlefield at #AMLOFest

By Donara Barojan

A hashtag campaign under #AMLOFest quickly attracted pro-AMLO and anti-AMLO accounts, who used it to promote and smear presidential candidate Lopez Obrador.

Disinformation Elections

2018 Elections in Latin America

Jun 30, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Hashtags For Cash In Mexico

By Ben Nimmo

Before Mexico’s presidential election, a network of Twitter accounts has been pushing partisan messages apparently paid for by local political groups.

Disinformation Elections

2018 Elections in Latin America

Jun 28, 2018

#ElectionWatch: Trending Beyond Borders in Mexico

By Ben Nimmo, Donara Barojan, Jose Luis Peñarredonda, and Kanishk Karan

Ahead of Mexico’s presidential election on July 1, a network of Facebook pages and Twitter accounts has been promoting partisan political messages, most of them attacking front-runner Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Disinformation Elections
TRAF5377 preview

Flagship Event

Jun 23, 2018

Secretary Albright at 360/OS Summit: “Democracy’s enemies have become adept at polluting social media platforms with rumors, disinformation, and anti-democratic propaganda”

By Atlantic Council

Secretary Madeleine K. Albright, 64th US Secretary of State, delivered remarks at the DFRLab's 360/OS Summit in Berlin, Germany on June 23, 2018.

Disinformation English