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AzerNEWS Staff

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The European Commission has called on Meta and TikTok to take stronger measures against disinformation amid a mass influx of migrants into Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta, AzerNEWS reports.

EU Commissioner for Digital Affairs Henna Virkkunen said social media platforms must protect the integrity of the digital space, step up monitoring and strengthen cooperation with fact-checking organizations, particularly during crises.

In a post on X, Virkkunen said the European Commission had held talks with representatives of Meta and TikTok regarding the situation in Ceuta.

Last week, the mass arrival of tens of thousands of migrants in Ceuta triggered a serious migration crisis not only for Madrid but also for the European Union as a whole.

According to the Spanish government, 80 people died during the incidents. Human rights organizations, however, put the death toll at more than 140.

The influx was reportedly fueled by videos and posts circulating on TikTok claiming that the border had suddenly been opened and that migrants would have access to accommodation and opportunities to travel to mainland Spain.

The European Commission plans to strengthen social media monitoring and improve early-warning systems to help authorities respond more effectively to similar situations in the future.