Digital Forensic Research Lab

RT DE logo as seen on its Facebook page.

Wed, Nov 24, 2021

How RT DE spread COVID misinformation on YouTube

YouTube banned RT DE in September 2021 after the Russian network revived an old channel to avoid an initial suspension.

by Givi Gigitashvili, Jean le Roux

Business Buzzsumo
People queue up outside a mass vaccination centre as Latvia opens walk in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccination scheme in Riga, Latvia, April 16, 2021.

Wed, Nov 10, 2021

Anti-government activists in Latvia openly recruit anonymous trolls

Previous activities involved active amplification of COVID-19 disinformation and conspiracies.

by Nika Aleksejeva

Baltics Buzzsumo
(Source: REUTERS/Maynor Valenzuela)

Fri, Nov 5, 2021

Multi-platform troll farm linked to Nicaraguan government

Inauthentic network targeted domestic audiences in the lead-up to Nicaragua’s November 2021 general election

by Daniel Suárez Pérez, Esteban Ponce de León, Luiza Bandeira

CrowdTangle Electorate
(Source: REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah)

Thu, Oct 28, 2021

Sudanese Facebook network promoting paramilitary group removed month before coup

Inauthentic FB assets linked to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces operated for years; some admins based in Saudi Arabia and the UAE

by Tessa Knight

Conflict East Africa
(Source: REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah//File Photo)

Wed, Oct 27, 2021

Geolocated footage capture chaotic scenes following Sudan military coup

Sudanese citizens protest military coup and dissolution of transitional government following arrest of civilian leadership

by Tessa Knight, Michael J. Sheldon

Civil Society Democratic Transitions
Digital information panel

Thu, Jul 22, 2021

Information defense: Policy measures taken against foreign information manipulation

A joint report from the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab and Europe Center on the policy measures government and private sector can take against foreign information manipulation.

by Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer

Disinformation Technology & Innovation
A Palestinian stands on a house that was destroyed in an Israeli air strike during the fighting between Israel and Hamas in May 2021, in the northern Gaza Strip on June 29, 2021. (Source: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem)

Thu, Jul 1, 2021

Iranian accounts promote anti-Israel hashtags in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war

The campaign, promoted on Telegram, is linked to an Iranian conspiracy theorist previously suspended from Twitter.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

COVID-19 Iran
DFRLab Logo

Thu, Jun 17, 2021

Atlantic Council’s Digital Forensic Research Lab Launches Democracy + Tech Initiative

Initiative to advance digital agenda focused on human rights and democratic values; programing kicks off with high-profile event featuring Katherine Maher on June 22.

Yevgeny Prighozin.

Thu, Jun 3, 2021

Inauthentic Facebook assets promoted Russian interests in Sudan

Network with links to Russia’s Internet Research Agency promoted oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin and Russian naval presence in Sudan

by Tessa Knight

Democratic Transitions Facebook

Fri, May 7, 2021

Misinformation about Colombia’s national strike spreads online and on air

Colombian social media accounts and legacy media amplified false and misleading claims amid the ongoing Colombian protests

by Daniel Suárez Pérez, Esteban Ponce de León

Colombia Disinformation
Protesters marching against the conflict in Tigray hold placards with the hashtag #TigrayGenocide in New York City on March 25, 2021. (Source: Reuters/John Lamparski/SIPA USA)

Fri, Apr 23, 2021

Ethiopian diaspora groups organize click-to-tweet Tigray campaigns amid information scarcity

Social media campaigns promoted pro-government and anti-conflict narratives to capture attention from an international audience.

by Tessa Knight

Africa Conflict

Mon, Apr 19, 2021

Fighting for the hearts and minds of Sakartvelo: The Georgian information environment during the 2020 parliamentary election

Georgian information environment report

by Eto Buziashvili, Givi Gigitashvili, Sopo Gelava

Digital Policy Economy & Business