Digital Policy

Thu, Dec 21, 2023

DFRLab research highlights from 2023

From the war in Ukraine to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, the DFRLab's international team of researchers investigated information operations and online harms around the world

by Andy Carvin, Layla Mashkoor

China Conflict
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Commander of the Sparta Battalion Artyom Zhoga pose for a picture after a ceremony to present Gold Star medals to service members, bearing the title of Hero of Russia and involved in the country's military campaign in Ukraine, on the eve of Heroes of the Fatherland Day in Moscow, Russia, December 8, 2023. Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS

Fri, Dec 15, 2023

Russian War Report: Putin to run for re-election in annexed regions of Ukraine

The Central Election Commission confirmed the possibility of holding presidential elections in illegally annexed Ukrainian territories.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Conflict Digital Policy
Social media icons logo displayed on a smartphone with European Commission Digital Service Act on screen seen in the background, in this photo illustration. On 19 October 2023, in Brussels, Belgium. Jonathan Raa / Nurphoto (Photo by Jonathan Raa/NurPhoto)

Wed, Dec 6, 2023

Learning more about platforms from the first Digital Services Act transparency disclosures

An analysis of platform reporting on content moderation teams' language skills

by Konstantinos Komaitis, Jacqueline Malaret, Rose Jackson

Content Moderation Policies Digital Policy
#AtlanticDebrief - How will the OSA be implemented? | A Debrief from Melanie Dawes

Fri, Dec 1, 2023

#AtlanticDebrief – How will the OSA be implemented? | A Debrief from Melanie Dawes

An #AtlanticDebrief with Ofcom Chief Executive Dame Melanie Dawes covering the Online Safety Act and regulatory guidance on illegal harms. In partnership with the Atlantic Council's Europe Center.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Cyber Strategy Digital Policy
Members of Ukraine's National Guard Omega Special Purpose fire a SPG-9 anti-tank grenade launcher toward Russian troops in the front line town of Avdiivka, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk region, Ukraine November 8, 2023. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Serhii Nuzhnenko via REUTERS

Thu, Nov 16, 2023

Russian War Report: Desperate for recruits, Russia offers one million rubles to join its military

The Russian army is struggling to fund equipment and recruit as they host fundraisers and recruitment drives offering pledges of one million rubl

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

FILE PHOTO: European Internal Market and Industry Commissioner Thierry Breton speaks at a news conference in Brussels, Belgium February 23, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

Thu, Oct 26, 2023

As Israel and Hamas go to war, the Digital Services Act faces its first major test

The EU’s first actions in the context of the conflict will inevitably set standards for this landmark law’s long-term impact

by Rose Jackson, Jacqueline Malaret

Digital Policy Europe
Kiyozumi Dera, Kyoto, Japan

Thu, Oct 5, 2023

Quiet part out loud: Rules of the internet and the 2023 Internet Governance Forum

A breakdown of the 2023 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) and the competing factions vying for the future rules of the internet.

by Leah (Léa) Fiddler

Digital Policy International Organizations
SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB Bodies of killed people are seen at a site of a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the village of Hroza, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine October 5, 2023. REUTERS/Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy

Thu, Oct 5, 2023

Russian War Report: Civilian cafe attacked and a fake Ukrainian news site is exposed

A suspicious website impersonating a Ukrainian news agency accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian leadership of corruption and misusing aid provided by the United States.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Wed, Oct 4, 2023

Suspicious Twitter accounts promote Saudi Arabia, call for reinstating Saud Al-Qahtani

Network amplified content calling for Twitter to reinstate Saud Al-Qahtani, accused of orchestrating Jamal Khashoggi’s killing in 2018

by Dina Sadek

Digital Policy Disinformation
A still image from a bodycam footage, released by Russia's Defence Ministry, shows what it said to be crew members kneeling down in a cockpit during an operation held by Russian navy officers to board the Palau-flagged Sukru Okan vessel with the help of a Ka-29 military helicopter in the Black Sea on August 13, 2023, in this image taken from video published August 15, 2023. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES. MANDATORY CREDIT. WATERMARK FROM SOURCE.

Thu, Aug 17, 2023

Russian War Report: Tensions escalate in the Black Sea as the Russian navy forcefully inspects a civilian cargo ship

Russia escalated tensions beyond Ukraine again this week when its navy forcibly inspected and fired warning shots at a civilian cargo ship.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Telephone with messaging apps. “Protecting point-to-point messaging apps: Understanding Telegram, WeChat, and WhatsApp in the United States” cover image.

Mon, Aug 14, 2023

Protecting point-to-point messaging apps: Understanding Telegram, WeChat, and WhatsApp in the United States

A year-long project on protecting users' data and privacy that analyzes the growing use of point-to-point messaging platforms in the United States and the implications their design and governing policies have for user privacy and free speech.

by Iria Puyosa

Members of security services investigate a damaged office building in the Moscow City following a reported Ukrainian drone attack in Moscow Russia, August 1, 2023. REUTERS/Evgenia Novozhenina

Thu, Aug 3, 2023

Russian War Report: Drones target central Moscow skyscrapers

Drone strikes hit central Moscow this week killing none but damaging a skyscraper. Meanwhile, TGStat has restricted access to a Telegram channel that tracks Russian casualties.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab