Democratic Transitions

Tue, Feb 20, 2024

French prime minister faces onslaught of online attacks

Investment scam promoted via Meta Ads, AI-fueled smear campaigns on X, and a Russian-led disinformation operation, and ignite a social media frenzy around Gabriel Attal

by Valentin Châtelet

Advertising Artificial Intelligence
Lieutenant General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, deputy head of the military council and head of paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), greets his supporters as he arrives at a meeting in Aprag village, 60 kilometers away from Khartoum, Sudan, June 22, 2019. (Source: REUTERS/Umit Bektas/File Photo)

Wed, Aug 2, 2023

Suspicious network’s copypasta replies to Sudanese paramilitary group’s tweets

Network of potentially hijacked Twitter accounts copy and pasted positive replies to accounts associated with Rapid Support Forces

by Tessa Knight

Conflict Democratic Transitions

Wed, Mar 29, 2023

What to expect from the world’s democratic tech alliance as the Summit for Democracy unfolds

Ahead of the Biden administration’s second Summit for Democracy, stakeholders from the Freedom Online Coalition gave a sneak peek at what to expect on the global effort to protect online rights and freedoms.

by Katherine Walla

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy holds a national flag as he visits a position of Ukrainian service members in the frontline town of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, December 20, 2022. (Source: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters Connect)

Thu, Dec 22, 2022

2022 at the DFRLab: a year in review

In 2022, the Digital Forensic Research Lab investigated online harms and documented stories of resilience from Ukraine to Uvalde.

by Andy Carvin

Africa Americas

Wed, Oct 19, 2022

Footage raises additional questions about Wagner presence in Sudan

Videos allegedly show Wagner personnel training Sudanese Army and RSF paramilitary forces.

by Tessa Knight, Mattia Caniglia, Ruslan Trad

Africa Business
Gustavo Petro receives the presidential sash during his swearing-in ceremony in Bogota, August 7, 2022. Petro was among several candidates targeted by so-called “disinformation for hire” campaigns. (Source: REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez)

Thu, Aug 11, 2022

Colombian PR firms used Facebook ads to spread disinfo on presidential candidates

Facebook ads, websites, and fringe media spread disinformation about several candidates, including President Gustavo Petro.

by Daniel Suárez Pérez

Americas Colombia
Malians holds a Russian flag and a photograph with an image of coup leader Colonel Assimi Goita during a pro-Malian Armed Forces (FAMA) demonstration in Bamako, Mali, May 28, 2021.

Thu, Feb 17, 2022

Pro-Russian Facebook assets in Mali coordinated support for Wagner Group, anti-democracy protests

Coordinated network promoted military junta in months leading up to France’s decision to withdraw from the country.

by Jean le Roux

Africa CrowdTangle

Tue, Jan 4, 2022

After the insurrection: How domestic extremists adapted and evolved after the January 6 US Capitol attack

This report by the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) provides an overview and analysis of the shifts observed in domestic extremist movements since the 2021 Capitol attack.

by Jared Holt

Democratic Transitions Elections
The US Capitol, January 6, 2021.

Mon, Dec 20, 2021

2021: DFRLab’s year in review

The DFRLab's 2021 year in review: disinformation campaigns, troll farms, troop buildups, vaccine rumors, a failed insurrection, and more.

by Andy Carvin

Belarus COVID-19
(Source: REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah//File Photo)

Wed, Oct 27, 2021

Geolocated footage capture chaotic scenes following Sudan military coup

Sudanese citizens protest military coup and dissolution of transitional government following arrest of civilian leadership

by Tessa Knight, Michael J. Sheldon

Civil Society Democratic Transitions
Yevgeny Prighozin.

Thu, Jun 3, 2021

Inauthentic Facebook assets promoted Russian interests in Sudan

Network with links to Russia’s Internet Research Agency promoted oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin and Russian naval presence in Sudan

by Tessa Knight

Democratic Transitions Facebook