Research Initiative Launched to Combat Disinformation in XR Environments

On April 29, 2026, the Agentur für Innovation in der Cybersicherheit GmbH (Cyberagentur) announced the launch of the research program 'FoUnD-VR', aimed at investigating disinformation in immersive virtual, augmented, and extended reality (XR) environments. This initiative seeks to analyze how disinformation can manipulate perception and decision-making in these digital spaces. The program will create a research and testing environment to systematically study new forms of targeted influence that have emerged with the rise of XR technologies. Key areas of focus include lifelike avatars, deepfake interactions, and altered virtual environments. The research aims to identify previously unrecognized forms of disinformation, classify their dynamics, and develop effective countermeasures. Dr. Andreas Schönau emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to address the intersection of technology and society in this context. The initiative is critical as immersive technologies become more prevalent in communication, work, and decision-making processes.

Key Points: • FoUnD-VR program launched to study disinformation in XR environments. • Focus on manipulation of perception and decision-making using immersive technologies. • Research will address new forms of disinformation including deepfakes and altered environments.