Middle East

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
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

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
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
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

Wed, Mar 1, 2023

Networks of pro-Kremlin Telegram channels spread disinformation at a global scale

Three networks comprising fifty-six channels targeted Telegram users in twenty countries and ten languages

by Nika Aleksejeva, Sayyara Mammadova

API Asia
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 Private: Andy Carvin

Africa Americas
Ukrainian soldier with his weapon in a wooden cottage near the Donbas frontlines, Donetsk. (Source: Celestino Arce/NurPhoto via Reuters Connect)

Fri, Dec 16, 2022

Russian War Report: Fierce fighting in Donetsk despite the onset of winter

While many had hoped Winter would slow the fighting in Ukraine, the conflict has continued and, in some cases including in Donetsk, intensified.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Anti-LGBTQ counter-protesters stomp on a rainbow flag during a protest by gay rights activists in central Moscow, June 11, 2013. (Source: Reuters/Maxim Shemetov)

Fri, Nov 18, 2022

Russian War Report: Russia defends ‘traditional values,’ criminalizes LGBTQ ‘propaganda’

After two Polish citizens were killed by a missile, Poland and NATO both say the hit was not a Russian attack.

by Digital Forensic Research Lab

Central Europe Civil Society
Ukrainians people living in Krakow and their supporters are seen during the Solidarity With Ukraine protest in Krakow's Main Square, on the 232nd day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Fri, Nov 11, 2022

Russian War Report: Ukrainians celebrate in Kherson as Russia evacuates the city

As Russian forces retreat from Kherson, Ukrainians celebrate online and in-person. While the overall status of the withdrawal remains in flux, today’s footage shows Russia is no longer in control of the central parts of Kherson. 

by Digital Forensic Research Lab