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

In the News

Aug 11, 2016

Bloomberg highlights DFRLab analysis of allegations of violence in Crimea

By Atlantic Council

Bloomberg highlights the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) analysis of allegations of violence in Crimea.

Disinformation Eastern Europe

In the News

Apr 6, 2016

Defense One Features Atlantic Council Report ‘Distract, Deceive, Destroy: Putin at War in Syria’

By Atlantic Council

Defense One featured the Atlantic Council's DFRLab report called "Distract, Deceive, Destroy," which focused on Russian air forces in Syria.

Conflict Disinformation

New Atlanticist

Apr 5, 2016

Distract, Deceive, Destroy: Atlantic Council Report exposes Putin’s deceptions in Syria

By Ashish Kumar Sen

A new Atlantic Council report uses open-source data to link Russia to attacks on civilian facilities and the use of cluster bombs in Syria.

Conflict Disinformation

In the News

Apr 5, 2016

Atlantic Council Report ‘Distract, Deceive, Destroy: Putin at War in Syria’ Featured in The Guardian

By Atlantic Council

The Guardian featured the ground-breaking report "Distract, Deceive, Destroy" which uses open-source research to detail Russian air forces in Syria.

Conflict Disinformation
Distract Deceive Destroy

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
Hiding in Plain Sight: Putin's War in Ukraine

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