Platform

Hamas's al-Qassam Brigades train with paragliders as they prepare for an armed air assault, in this screengrab obtained from a social media video released on October 7, 2023. (Source: Izz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades via Telegram/Reuters)

Thu, Oct 12, 2023

In Israel-Hamas conflict, social media become tools of propaganda and disinformation

An endless flood of false, misleading, and unverified information risks inflaming the conflict.

by Dina Sadek, Layla Mashkoor

Conflict Disinformation
Protesters scuffle with police during a rally to demand the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan, Armenia, September 22, 2023. (Source: Vahram Baghdasaryan/Photolure via Reuters)

Thu, Oct 5, 2023

Kremlin propagandists fuel anti-government sentiment in Armenia

Russian media and influencers blame Armenian prime minister and the West for the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh while encouraging anti-government protests

by , Sopo Gelava

Armenia Disinformation
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

Wed, Oct 4, 2023

How selective Russian targeting effectively blockaded Ukraine’s Black Sea grain exports

Evidence from the Odesa region shows retaliatory Russian strikes destroyed harbor infrastructure, silos, and industrial farms

by Valentin Châtelet

Conflict Geolocation

Tue, Oct 3, 2023

Georgian travel company behind inauthentic network promotes health-related clickbait content

Inauthentic network disseminated unreliable health-related content to promote travel company and increase sales

by Sopo Gelava, Jean le Roux

Advertising Disinformation

Thu, Sep 28, 2023

Russian War Report: Competing claims about the possible death of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet commander

Following an attack by Ukrainian forces on the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Crimea, rumors swirled about the potential death of Russian Admiral Viktor Sokolov.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

UN Security Council meets about Ukraine at UN HQ in New York

Thu, Sep 21, 2023

Russian War Report: Black Sea military operations approach NATO countries’ waters

Plus, Zelenskyy expresses frustration at the UN, Russia seems unlikely to block YouTube, and the US drops new sanctions.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

A protester reacts next to law enforcement officers during a gathering outside the government building following the launch of a military operation by Azerbaijani forces in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, in Yerevan, Armenia, September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze

Thu, Sep 21, 2023

Armenian and Azerbaijani Telegram channels incite violence against each other

Telegram channels routinely publish graphic footage and hate speech, fueling online outrage in a decades-old conflict

by Givi Gigitashvili

Armenia Azerbaijan

Tue, Sep 19, 2023

Pro-Kremlin groups mobilize online supporters to attack Tbilisi Pride Festival

Pro-Kremlin actors stormed the Tbilisi Pride Festival in July 2023, burning rainbow and Ukrainian flags

by Sopo Gelava

CrowdTangle Disinformation
Image: Screenshot from a video released by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense’s Main Directorate of Intelligence.

Thu, Sep 14, 2023

Russian War Report: Ukraine’s Black Sea offensive retakes oil rigs near Crimea

Ukrainian soldiers board what appears to be the Tavrida oil drilling rig near the waters of Crimea. Russia protests actions by Armenia.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Screencaps of a viral Douyin video of animated panda flight attendants welcoming Ya Ya’s arrival with the song, “Ya Ya Come Home.”

Thu, Sep 14, 2023

Panda exchange program targeted by misinformation, driving anti-US narratives in China

Chinese media capitalized on emotionally resonant rumors about alleged panda abuse in the United States amid deteriorating US-China relations

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Asia China