EU digital chief Henna Virkkunen has criticized Meta and TikTok over their handling of misinformation during the recent migration crisis in the Spanish North African exclave of Ceuta, calling for greater monitoring of social media platforms during crises.
Tens of thousands of people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco late last month, overwhelming the tiny territory and triggering a political dispute over the protection of the European Union’s external borders.
Social media appears to have played a significant role in the mblock crossings. Numerous migrants said videos and messages on platforms such as TikTok had suggested that the normally heavily guarded border had suddenly been opened.
Claims also spread rapidly that accommodation would be available in Ceuta and that migrants would be able to travel onwards to the Spanish mainland.
The EU now plans to monitor popular social media platforms more closely in an effort to better prepare for similar developments.
Following an emergency meeting of EU member states this week, officials said early-warning systems could be further developed, including through social media monitoring, to improve the bloc’s shared blockessment of emerging situations.
“Platforms must act decisively in keeping the integrity of the digital space, in particular during crisis situations,” Virkkunen wrote on X following a meeting with representatives of TikTok and Facebook parent Meta on Friday.
“Monitoring must increase, cooperation with fact-checkers to be strengthened,” she added.
