The European Union's Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, has called on social media giants to intensify monitoring of their platforms for disinformation, particularly "during crisis situations." She stressed that platforms must act decisively to preserve the integrity of the digital space.
The call comes in the wake of last week's border crisis in Spain's Ceuta enclave, which European, Spanish, and Moroccan authorities claim was exacerbated by the spread of false information on platforms such as TikTok, Telegram, and Meta-owned networks.
In a post on X, Virkkunen wrote: "Platforms must act decisively in keeping the integrity of the digital space, in particular during crisis situations. Monitoring must increase, cooperation with fact-checkers to be strengthened." Her remarks followed a Friday meeting with representatives from TikTok and Meta.
An estimated 72,000 people who stormed Ceuta from Morocco said they were lured by false promises on social media, with many claiming they were misled about the actual conditions. Moroccan authorities have pointed fingers at a Spanish Supreme Court ruling, alleging it was exploited by human traffickers and distorted online.
Spanish authorities report 80 deaths during the events, while Moroccan officials say 11 died on their side. Rights groups estimate the total death toll at over 140, adding to the human tragedy behind the political fallout.
The Ceuta crisis has further inflamed Europe's ongoing political divisions over immigration and security. Migrants cited social media posts and videos announcing that the EU border at Ceuta was suddenly open, with promises of accommodation and transport to the Spanish mainland.
Last week, EU member states held an emergency meeting to discuss early-warning systems and social media monitoring as potential tools to improve the bloc's shared situational awareness. Virkkunen said the discussion would continue on Monday, signaling the EU's intent to tighten oversight of digital platforms in times of crisis.
Source: www.dw.com