Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab)

☢️ 📱Weapons of mass proliferation 📱☢️ In August 2024, during Ukraine's counteroffensive in Russia's Kursk Oblast, pro-Kremlin military bloggers and Russian state media launched a disinformation campaign, employing an information laundering technique, aimed at stoking fears of a nuclear catastrophe. Using unverified claims and the visit of IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant, these actors amplified false narratives to deflect from Ukrainian advances and manipulate public perception. As battles near nuclear facilities, distinguishing fact-based concerns from alarmist propaganda becomes crucial to countering efforts to undermine public support for Ukraine. See how false narratives shape public perception in conflict zones in the latest from Iryna A. & Roman Osadchuk: https://lnkd.in/e-we7Wr5 #UkraineRussiaWar #KurskNPP #InformationLaundering

🕵 ⚡ At last week's CYBERWARCON, the DFRLab team— Emerson Brooking, Dina Sadek, and Max R. — delivered a thought-provoking lightning talk, comparing the impact of rapid "naming and shaming" foreign influence actors to past cycles where attribution was less common. 🔎 Drawing on insights from the DFRLab’s 2024 Foreign Interference Attribution Tracker (FIAT) , they analyzed the frequency, credibility, and media impact of interference claims during the US election. Key takeaways included: 🔸 From Silence to Overcorrection: Unlike 2016’s delayed attributions, 2024 saw an abundance of U.S. government claims. However, some broad warnings risked amplifying campaigns that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.  🔸 The Importance of Specificity: High-quality attributions, like identifying Russia’s fake video of ballot destruction in Pennsylvania, proved effective. Broad, vague statements often lacked public impact or clarity.  🔸 Transparency and Progress: The 2024 cycle marked improvements in disclosure and collaboration, though challenges remain as political dynamics evolve. As Emerson Brooking noted, “From a public interest perspective, we got a lot closer on disclosure in 2024.” Learn more about #FIAT at interference2024.org

What is the role of tech platforms in shaping public discourse globally? 🇧🇷 Beatriz Farrugia Foina's latest piece examines the online campaign initiated by supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in April 2024, which accused the Brazilian government of censorship. This campaign emerged after Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X, criticized Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes for ordering the suspension of accounts spreading disinformation and hate speech. Uncover the complex interplay between social media platforms, political movements, and judicial actions in Brazil: https://lnkd.in/d4e8Gy9w

Counting down for Emerson Brooking, Dina Sadek & Max R. lightning talk on the DFRLab's 2024 Foreign Interference Attribution Tracker (FIAT) 🕵 🎉 Interested in learning more about FIAT? Check out interference2024.org

Excited to present on the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab)‘s 2024 Foreign Interference Attribution Tracker https://lnkd.in/eX5_RxYV at CYBERWARCON with Emerson Brooking and Max!

❓ How influential was the role of #GenerativeAI in this #election year? What lessons can we take to maintain #electionsintegrity and counter #disinformation in the age of #AI? 👉 Register now for our upcoming online session at https://lnkd.in/efT54fm3 and don't miss this insightful exchange with ⤵️ 🔹 Mark Scott, Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), Atlantic Council  🔹 Josephine Lukito, UT Austin School of Journalism and Media, The University of Texas at Austin 🔹 Mato Brautovic, University of Dubrovnik, Croatia, Adria Digital Media Observatory / ADMO  🔹 Taberez A. Neyazi, NUS Communications and New Media, National University of Singapore 🤝 Co-hosted by Claes de Vreese, Sophie Morosoli and Aqsa Farooq, University of Amsterdam in partnership with the AI, Media and Democracy Lab. See you on 25 November!

Last week, the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) joined the Sofia Information Integrity Forum as an event partner, collaborating with researchers, academics, and policymakers to combat online harms and democratic backsliding. Hosted by the Center for the Study of Democracy, this three-day forum spotlighted critical insights from our team: 🎙 Andy Carvin delivered the keynote, "Targeting Trust: The Weaponization of Fact-checking Tropes," exploring how malign actors misuse fact-checking to erode trust. Ruslan Trad moderated an engaging discussion with attendees following Andy’s address. Panels led by Sayyara Mammadova, Valentin Châtelet, and Ruslan Trad covered: 🔸 Sayyara Mammadova: "Beyond Messaging: Telegram's Role Since the February 2022 Invasion of Ukraine." Sayyara also led a hands-on workshop on Telegram Investigative Techniques, showcasing DFRLab’s expertise in uncovering disinformation operations. 🔸Valentin Châtelet: "Exposing Russian Information Warfare: Tactics, Tricks, and Elections." 🔸 Ruslan Trad: "Final Words Before the Storm." Ruslan also moderated the panel "Disinformation, Health Concerns, and Consequences," featuring Ludmila Hamplová and Jaroslav Valuch. We're proud to contribute to this vital dialogue and share DFRLab methodologies in the fight for information integrity 🕵️♂️ 🔎

Hi everyone! Over the past few weeks, our team at the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) has documented more than 40 foreign interference allegations related to the 2024 US elections in our Foreign Interference Attribution Tracker (FIAT) launched yesterday. Check out how we designed the FIAT tracker, our case selection and attribution, methodology, and initial findings from data collected so far: https://lnkd.in/e-xb_g9y We are also not done yet! We will continue updating the tracker with newly identified attributions, so check regularly for updates: https://lnkd.in/eWWYQPje

🚨 The DFRLab has uncovered a network of fake accounts posing as real American & Canadian citizens on X to amplify pro-Israel narratives. By impersonating real users, these “sockpuppets” boost one-sided perspectives, creating the illusion of grassroots support. Explore how these accounts manipulate engagement, and the challenges platforms face in tackling such inauthentic behavior 🕵️♂️💻 https://lnkd.in/dWaXkYb7 #SockpuppetNetwork #Disinformation

🚨 Applications close TONIGHT @ 11:59 pm ET 🚨 Don't miss the opportunity to join the DFRLab team as an Engagement Intern, as part of the Atlantic Council's Young Global Professionals Program 🕵 Apply now: https://bit.ly/3YqEqcn