Latest Research

March 2023

TikTok in the dock

by Seth Stodder

Whether or not the US bans TikTok, the real issue is the danger presented by all social media platforms as they currently operate, argues Atlantic Council Nonresident Senior Fellow Seth Stodder.
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March 2023

How pro-Russia and pro-China influencers cross-promote state narratives

by Kenton Thibaut

Influencers critical of the West have formed a mutually beneficial community on Twitter, amplifying Russian and Chinese state narratives on a range of issues
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Footage published by RIA Novosti shows Vladmir Putin’s entourage reacting after a woman reportedly yelled “This all is not true! It’s all for a show!” The clip was later edited out by the Kremlin.
March 2023

Russian War Report: Kremlin edits footage of Mariupol visit to remove women shouting at Putin

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

After Putin was yelled at in Mariupol, the Kremlin cut the exchange from their official video. RIA Novosti published the whole interaction.
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Anti-NATO March in Paris, March 18, 2023.
March 2023

Russia-friendly media outlets in Global South frame French anti-government protest as anti-NATO  

by Nika Aleksejeva, Valentin Châtelet

Russian state media coverage of protest in Paris picked up by outlets across the Global South
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Supporters of Egypt's army and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi dance and cheer as they celebrate the anniversary of Sinai Liberation Day in Cairo, Egypt, April 25, 2016. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
March 2023

Egyptian Twitter network amplifies pro-government hashtags, attacks fact-checkers

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Twitter network targeted the fact-checking organization Saheeh Masr while also promoting the Egyptian government and military
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George Ishak during a protest in front of the High Court in Cairo in 2010
March 2023

Suspicious Twitter accounts promote hashtag attacking Egyptian human rights defender 

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Veteran activist George Ishak targeted by disinformation campaign after criticizing Egyptian government
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Footage published by RIA Novosti shows Vladmir Putin’s entourage reacting after a woman reportedly yelled “This all is not true! It’s all for a show!” The clip was later edited out by the Kremlin.
March 2023

Russian War Report: Kremlin edits footage of Mariupol visit to remove women shouting at Putin

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

After Putin was yelled at in Mariupol, the Kremlin cut the exchange from their official video. RIA Novosti published the whole interaction.
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A Ukrainian soldier of the Paratroopers' of 80th brigade listens to artillery fire a frontline position near Bakhmut, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura
March 2023

Russian War Report: DFRLab confirms aerial strikes on industrial plants north of Bakhmut

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

As Russian forces continue their offensive on Bakhmut, the DFRLab examined satellite imagery to reveal the potential of missile attacks.
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Ukrainian service members from a battalion, named of nom-de-guerre of their commander 'Da Vinci', Hero of Ukraine, who was killed in a fight against Russian troops, fire a howitzer M119 at a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the city of Bakhmut, Ukraine March 10, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak bakhmut
March 2023

Russian War Report: Russian army advances toward Bakhmut, but its offensive capabilities remain unclear

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

The Russian army advances toward Bakhmut while a large-scale russian air attack targets civilian infrastructure.
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DFRLab satellite analysis shows increased Russian aerial activity on the Saki military airbase in western Crimea. (Source: DFRLab via Planet.com)
March 2023

Russian War Report: DFRLab confirms increased Russian air force activity as Kremlin strives to achieve air dominance

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Russia intensified its air power in recent weeks across airfields in Crimea and Rostov Oblast. Elsewhere, Russia continues to pressure Bahkmut.
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February 2023

Russian War Report: DFRLab releases investigations on Russian info ops before and after the invasion

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

On the week of the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the DFRLab released two new reports on narratives tracked used to justify the war both pre- and post invasion.
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Bohdan, 'Fritz', the unit commander's deputy in the 79th Air Assault Brigade, fires a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) towards Russian positions on a front line near the town of Marinka, in the middle of the Russia attack on Ukraine, Donetsk region, Ukraine, February 14, 2023. REUTERS/Marko Djurica
February 2023

Russian War Report: Failed Russian push on Vuhledar results in losses as Moscow increases troops

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Vuhledar, a town connecting the northern and southern flanks, has been under an unsuccessful attack from Russian forces for two weeks.
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Democracy + Tech Initiative

The Democracy + Tech Initiative creates policy practices that align global stakeholders toward tech and governance that reinforces, rather than undermines, open societies.

Digital Sherlocks Training Program

Combatting disinformation can’t be done alone; ultimately it requires a growing movement of individuals taking the lead around the world and in their own communities. It’s these #DigitalSherlocks who are at the heart of our movement.

About DFRLab

Digital Sherlocks in Brussels 2022

The Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research leads the study of information to promote transparency and accountability online and around the world.