Indo-Pacific

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

Mon, May 15, 2023

What is driving the adoption of Chinese surveillance technology in Africa?

When examining the proliferation of Chinese surveillance systems and cyber capabilities in Africa, research disproportionately focuses on the motivations and ambitions of the supplier. This perspective, while it highlights Chinese diplomatic ambitions and corporate opportunities, ignores local features that drive the adoption of Chinese surveillance tools.

by Bulelani Jili

Twitter CEO Elon Musk. (Source: Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)

Fri, Apr 21, 2023

State-controlled media experience sudden Twitter gains after unannounced platform policy change

Twitter accounts run by Russia’s RT, China’s CGTN and Iran’s PressTV suddenly began to gain followers; Twitter acknowledged a change in policy regarding state media accounts three weeks later

by Alyssa Kann

Business China

Thu, Mar 30, 2023

Anti-Taiwan influence operation shows shift in tactics

Inauthentic assets amplified content to more than 1,300 Facebook groups, with the apparent goal of dividing Taiwanese society and undermining its democracy

by Feng-Kai Lin

China CrowdTangle

Mon, Mar 27, 2023

How pro-Russia and pro-China influencers cross-promote state narratives

Influencers critical of the West have formed a mutually beneficial community on Twitter, amplifying Russian and Chinese state narratives on a range of issues

by Kenton Thibaut

China COVID-19
Anti-NATO March in Paris, March 18, 2023.

Fri, Mar 24, 2023

Russia-friendly media outlets in Global South frame French anti-government protest as anti-NATO  

Russian state media coverage of protest in Paris picked up by outlets across the Global South

by Nika Aleksejeva, Valentin Châtelet

Cameroon China
DFRLab satellite analysis shows increased Russian aerial activity on the Saki military airbase in western Crimea. (Source: DFRLab via Planet.com)

Fri, Mar 3, 2023

Russian War Report: DFRLab confirms increased Russian air force activity as Kremlin strives to achieve air dominance

Russia intensified its air power in recent weeks across airfields in Crimea and Rostov Oblast. Elsewhere, Russia continues to pressure Bahkmut.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Sat, Feb 25, 2023

Russian War Report: DFRLab releases investigations on Russian info ops before and after the invasion

On the week of the one year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the DFRLab released two new reports on narratives tracked used to justify the war both pre- and post invasion.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Still from the movie “The Battle at Lake Changjin,” which depicts Chinese soldiers fighting UN forces during the Korean War. (Source: Xinhua)

Thu, Jan 12, 2023

How China funds foreign influence campaigns

CCP financial statements reveal details of influence operations, from news programming to documentaries to feature films

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Advertising China
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
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Chinese President Xi Jinping attend a welcoming ceremony before talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, April 3, 2018. (Source: Reuters/Thomas Peter)

Wed, Nov 9, 2022

China spearheads social media campaign to attack civil society in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party targets opposition figures with Chinese government assistance.

by Kenton Thibaut

Africa China
A family says farewell to their friends and families before departing for the UK at Hong Kong International Airport, July 18, 2021.

Thu, Oct 20, 2022

Chinese state media, content farms spread anti-UK narratives to halt Hong Kong emigration

Narratives amplified UK’s COVID challenges and presented its Hong Kong visa program as a scam.

by Kenton Thibaut

Asia Pacific China