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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Jun 8, 2023

Mapping the last decade of Russia’s disinformation and influence campaign in Ukraine

By Atlantic Council

Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has continued its information operations, targeting more than just Ukraine, say speakers at a RightsCon event hosted by the Digital Forensic Research Lab.

Disinformation
Russia

Transcript

Jun 8, 2023

The international community must protect women politicians from abuse online. Here’s how.

By Atlantic Council

At RightsCon, human-rights advocates and tech leaders who have faced harassment online detail their experiences—and ways the international community can support women moving forward.

Disinformation
Resilience & Society
An animated map showing potential locations subjected to flooding hazards as a result of the rupture of the Nova Kakhovka dam. (Source: MapZen via ESA/Sentinel EOBrowser, annotations: DFRLab)

New Atlanticist

Jun 8, 2023

Russian War Report: Satellite imagery analysis captures flood threat after dam’s destruction

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Satellite imagery of the Nova Kakhovka dam's collapse reveals the extent of the damage caused by extreme flooding in Kherson Oblast.

Conflict
Disinformation

360/OS

Jun 7, 2023

Activists and experts assemble in Costa Rica to protect human rights in the digital age

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Our Digital Forensic Research Lab is convening top tech thinkers and human-rights defenders at RightsCon to collaborate on an agenda for advancing rights globally.

Cybersecurity
Disinformation
Caption: Men are seen on the roof of a damaged apartment block following a reported drone attack in Moscow, May 30, 2023. (Source: Reuters/Maxim Shemetov)

New Atlanticist

Jun 1, 2023

Russian War Report: Moscow is on edge after the latest drone attack

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Drone strikes in Moscow have the Kremlin on high alert. In Georgia, the pro-Russia Prime Minister blamed NATO for Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Conflict
Disinformation

New Atlanticist

May 25, 2023

Russian War Report: Belgorod incursion brings deluge of online mockery of Russia’s defenses

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

After an anti-Putin Russian volunteer military unit attacked Belgorod, trolls and bloggers online viciously ridiculed Russian defenses.

Australia
Conflict
Explosion of a missile is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine May 16, 2023. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

New Atlanticist

May 19, 2023

Russian War Report: Russia fires barrage at Kyiv while UK promises ‘kamikaze’ drones

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

A series of Russian missile strikes directed at Kyiv were largely intercepted while the UK promises hundreds of drones. In Poland, a missile "cover up" controversy.

Conflict
Intelligence
A banner reading “Putin War Criminal” hangs from the wall of Estonia’s Narva Fortress in the direction of Russia, as the neighboring Russian city of Ivangorod hosts a Victory Day concert in the direction of Narva, May 9, 2023. (Source: Reuters/Janis Laizans)

New Atlanticist

May 12, 2023

Russian War Report: Russia wages an invisible war with radar waves and Russian music across borders

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Russian surveillance has increased on Ukraine's border. Meanwhile a museum in Estonia hung a large poster depicting Putin as a war criminal.

Civil Society
Conflict
creenshot of May 4 Telegram video showing Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin standing in front of dozens of dead soldiers {blurred] and excoriating Kremlin military leadership for not providing Wagner with adequate ammunition supplies. Warning: original source video contains graphic footage. (Source: Kyepka Prigozhina/archive)

New Atlanticist

May 5, 2023

Russian War Report: Prigozhin threatens Wagner withdrawal from Bakhmut

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin threatened to withdraw forces from Bakhmut following conflict with Russian military leadership over resources.

Conflict
Disinformation
Satellite imagery showing the Mariupol Dramteatr before and after the March 2022 attack. More than 600 people sheltering in the theatre died when Russia bombed the building. (Source: Google Earth)

New Atlanticist

Apr 28, 2023

Russian War Report: Updated Google Earth imagery details destruction in Mariupol

By Digital Forensic Research Lab

New satellite imagery reveals the extent of the Russian bombing of Mariupol that occurred in late March 2022.

Conflict
Geopolitics & Energy Security