The United States has expressed concerns over the #Disinfo2026 conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, prompting the European Union, Canada, and Lithuania to withdraw their official support. The conference, scheduled for October 7 and 8, aims to address disinformation by bringing together experts and policymakers. However, a controversial panel discussing whether the U.S. could be a source of foreign information manipulation led to diplomatic tensions.
Following discussions with U.S. officials, Lithuania, Canada, and the EU removed their official backing. Lithuania cited that the conference’s agenda did not reflect its government’s official stance. Canada adjusted its participation due to changes in panel discussions, although Canadian officials continued to attend the event. The EU also withdrew its support, stating that some topics did not align with its positions, yet it continues to fund the conference.
The contentious panel examining the U.S. as a potential threat has sparked debate over the balance between countering disinformation and allowing open discussions about government actions. This has underscored differing views among Western nations on defining foreign information threats and responding to criticism.
Amid these developments, France maintained its support for the conference, emphasizing the importance of engaging with civil society to shape European disinformation policies. The situation highlights the challenges and divergent perspectives on managing information threats within international forums.