Messaging Platform

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

People attend a vigil at St Peter's church in Nottingham, UK after three people were killed in the city center, June 13, 2023. (Source: Reuters)

Fri, Aug 4, 2023

UK murders spur xenophobic narratives and conspiracy theories

The murders, allegedly committed by an immigrant of West African descent, led to broader campaign of dehumanization of migrants and calls for closed borders

by Meghan Conroy, Private: Tessa Knight

Civil Society Human Rights
People in Taunton, UK watch on a large screen the funeral service for Barnaby Webber, one of the victims of the Nottingham attack, July 14, 2023. (Source: Reuters)

Fri, Aug 4, 2023

Nottingham murders serve as rallying point for far-right UK influencers

Anti-immigrant influencers weaponized immigration status of the accused murderer to spread racist, Islamophobic rhetoric

by Meghan Conroy, Private: Tessa Knight

Civil Society Europe
Photo of the late Orthodox priest, Iona Ignatenko, whose image was used in a Facebook scheme to get people to subscribe to dubious Telegram channels.

Tue, Aug 1, 2023

Clickbait Facebook pages trick Ukrainians into following dubious Telegram channels

Pages employ bait-and-switch tactics and cascading subscription requests to lure people to join more channels

by Roman Osadchuk

Facebook Telegram
SCREENCAP: RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN SPEAKS AT RUSSIA-AFRICA FORUM AT ST. PETERSBURG, SAYING RUSSIA IS READY TO USE REGIONAL CURRENCIES FOR SETTLEMENTS WITH AFRICAN COUNTRIES

Thu, Jul 27, 2023

Russian War Report: Kremlin seeks stronger ties in Africa as Wagner eyes Niger coup

As Russian president Vladimir Putin attends the Russia-Africa Summit, he and his government are making moves to solidify regional cooperation. Amid this, Wagner seeks to capitalize on the coup in Niger.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Mon, Jul 24, 2023

Pro-Russia actors target Armenia with anti-Ukraine propaganda

Suspicious quotes magnified by pro-Russian sources used to undermine Ukraine's reputation in Armenia

by Ani Mejlumyan, Roman Osadchuk

Armenia Conflict

Thu, Jul 20, 2023

Russia moves conscription and contract soldier recruitment online

Russian public services portal Gosuslugi becomes cornerstone for military recruitment, including delivering online conscription notifications

by Valentin Châtelet, Eto Buziashvili

Advertising Conflict

Thu, Jul 20, 2023

Russian War Report: Wagner is still in business in Africa

Despite their Russia-based forces being relocated to Belarus after their failed mutiny, Wagner Group is still alive and active in Africa, including ahead of a referendum in the Central African Republic.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Banner: A damaged canvas sign featuring the logo for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) appears among the ruins of an attack on an aid station in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine. (Source: zoda_gov_ua/archive)

Thu, Jul 13, 2023

Russian War Report: Russian airstrike hits humanitarian aid station

Russian offensives in Donetsk and Luhansk left several villages damaged from shelling while a Russian airstrike destroyed an aid station in Zaporizhzhia.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

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
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a signing ceremony following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia March 21, 2023. Sputnik/Mikhail Tereshchenko/Pool via REUTERS

Mon, Jul 10, 2023

Chinese social media messaging downplays significance of Wagner mutiny

Beijing promoted the view that Yevgeny Prigozhin’s mutiny was a one-off event and emphasized Russia’s “return to normal,” lending further legitimacy to its support for Russia and their deepening partnership

by Kenton Thibaut

China Propaganda