Electorate

Screenshots show a post and advertisement from the Facebook page Winsome wc5, calling for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to be implemented.

Tue, Sep 27, 2022

Russia-based Facebook operation targeted Europe with anti-Ukraine messaging

A network of inauthentic assets uncovered by the DFRLab promoted Kremlin narratives in Germany, France, Italy, Ukraine, Latvia and the UK.

by Alyssa Kann, Daniel Suárez Pérez, Private: Mattia Caniglia, Jean le Roux, Sopo Gelava, Roman Osadchuk, Nika Aleksejeva

Advertising Baltics

Thu, Sep 15, 2022

Notorious hate group website displayed prominently in Google search results

Google displays Patriot Front URL in search results sidebar despite blocking other racist website URLs from appearing there.

by Alyssa Kann

Electorate Extremism
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi waves while leaving the parliament in Taipei, Taiwan, August 3, 2022.

Tue, Sep 13, 2022

How Chinese social media reacted to Nancy Pelosi’s Taiwan visit

Interest in Pelosi visit skyrocketed on Weibo before news fatigue set in.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

China Disinformation
Encyclopedia Runiversalis logo atop the Russian flag. (Source: DFRLab/руни.рф)

Thu, Sep 1, 2022

Pro-Kremlin Wikipedia alternative off to a rough start

Member-only pages, restrictive content policies, and a lack of transparency: Runiversalis is a wiki in name only.

by Eto Buziashvili, Andy Carvin

Business Business
(Source: Budrul Chukrut / SOPA Images/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect)

Wed, Aug 31, 2022

How CSSAs reinforce official narratives to expat Chinese students on WeChat

The DFRLab analyzed WeChat articles from Chinese Students and Scholars Associations across the US, UK, Canada and Australia.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Australia China
(Source: Avishek Das / SOPA Images/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect)

Wed, Aug 31, 2022

WeChat channels keep Chinese students in US tied to the motherland

How Chinese government perspectives are reinforced among Chinese students at US universities via WeChat.

by

China Electorate
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

Fri, Jul 29, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia minimizes Ukrainian damage of strategic bridge in Kherson

During a video speech on July 27, Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainian military had disabled the Antonovsky bridge in Kherson to the point that was no longer usable by occupying Russian forces. The bridge has been targeted by Ukrainian forces for more than a week. While it remains standing, it has been hit multiple times by high-precision HIMARS munitions provided by the US.  

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Conflict Crisis Management
Ukrainian troops using French anti-aircraft guns on a CAESAR howitzer wheeled chassis to attack Russian aircraft, June 8, 2022. (Source: Reuters/General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine)

Thu, Jul 21, 2022

How Russia promoted the claim that Ukraine re-sold French howitzers for profit

Kremlin media amplified narrative until mainstream coverage on the risk of weapons smuggling allegedly gave it credence.

by Roman Osadchuk

Deceptive Content Manipulation Disinformation

Thu, Jul 14, 2022

Transphobic misinformation trends on Twitter after Highland Park shooting

Right-wing accounts spread harmful narratives associating transgender people with violent behavior and mental illness.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Civil Society Disinformation

Fri, Jul 8, 2022

Pro-Kremlin Telegram channel linked to inauthentic Facebook assets from Côte d’Ivoire

Alleged NGO from Côte d’Ivoire ran inauthentic Facebook assets that promoted its expanding pro-Russia Telegram channel.

by Tessa Knight

Africa Civil Society

Thu, Jul 7, 2022

Cracks emerge in Russia’s ‘Digital Iron Curtain’

Kremlin-controlled outlets maintain presence on Facebook and Twitter despite the platforms being banned in Russia.

by Nika Aleksejeva

Civil Society Digital Policy