Human Rights

Tue, Jul 11, 2023

Cross-platform kompromat campaign targets detained activist Bakhtiyar Hajiyev and several female Azerbaijani activists

Kompromat campaign against Azerbaijani activists disseminated on Telegram and amplified on other platforms

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Azerbaijan Civil Society
Banner: Human rights activist Gamal Eid is seen at a court in Cairo, March 24, 2016. (Source: Reuters/Asmaa Waguih)

Thu, Jul 6, 2023

Egyptian human rights defender repeatedly targeted by suspicious Twitter network 

Campaign attempted to harass and discredit activist Gamal Eid

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Egypt Human Rights

Wed, Jul 5, 2023

Saudi Arabia’s execution of two Bahrainis sparks competing hashtags on Twitter

Arabic hashtag condemning the execution significantly more popular than hashtag supporting the execution

by Dina Sadek

Government Human Rights
BANNER: A presidential runoff ballot at a polling station in Istanbul featuring incumbent president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and main opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, May 28, 2023. (Source: Reuters Connect/Diego Cupolo/NurPhoto)

Wed, Jun 7, 2023

A snapshot of Turkey’s information environment prior to the presidential election

Rumors, misinformation, and unsupported allegations swirled ahead of the first round of voting

by Sayyara Mammadova

Disinformation Elections
BANNER: A presidential runoff ballot at a polling station in Istanbul featuring incumbent president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and main opposition candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu, May 28, 2023. (Source: Reuters Connect/Diego Cupolo/NurPhoto)

Wed, May 31, 2023

Pro-government Twitter accounts push hashtag promoting Egypt’s support for human rights

Twitter accounts identified as part of a network promoting pro-government content initiated a hashtag in support of government actions

by Dina Sadek

Disinformation Economic Issue
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during the presentation of the European Commission's data/digital strategy in Brussels, Belgium February 19, 2020. (Source: REUTERS/Yves Herman)

Mon, May 22, 2023

The complexity of Europe’s digital sovereignty agenda explained

Analyzing European digital sovereignty through a unified lens risks overlooking the nuanced approach of member states

by Konstantinos Komaitis

China China
People hold Jordanian national flags as they take part in a protest during a teachers' strike in Amman, Jordan, October 3, 2019.

Thu, May 4, 2023

Jordan’s digital crackdowns target media and human rights activists

Jordanian authorities monitor and harass journalists and activists to control the information environment

by Dina Sadek

Civil Society Human Rights
Photo of a mural of Sarah Hegazi in Amman, which has now been painted over. (Source: Raya Sharbain/Wikimedia Commons)

Wed, Apr 5, 2023

Anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns spread on Arabic social media

The World Cup fueled online and offline campaigns promoting anti-LGBTQ sentiment and hateful rhetoric

by Dina Sadek

Algeria Civil Society
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

Thu, Mar 23, 2023

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

Twitter network targeted the fact-checking organization Saheeh Masr while also promoting the Egyptian government and military

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Egypt
George Ishak during a protest in front of the High Court in Cairo in 2010

Thu, Mar 23, 2023

Suspicious Twitter accounts promote hashtag attacking Egyptian human rights defender 

Veteran activist George Ishak targeted by disinformation campaign after criticizing Egyptian government

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Disinformation Egypt
Map of Bakhmut and surrounding area as of February 10, 2023.

Sat, Feb 11, 2023

Russian War Report: DFRLab confirms Russia’s push to encircle Bakhmut

Wagner Group soldiers are attempting to encircle Bakhmut, Ukraine. Meanwhile on the southern flank, Russian armed forces are trying to consolidate their progression towards Ivaniske.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

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