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Meta, TikTok agree to boost fact-checking after Ceuta migrant rush, EU

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Meta and TikTok have agreed to voluntary measures to increase fact-checking of disinformation related to the Ceuta migrant crisis.
  • The EU expressed satisfaction with these steps but reserves the right to compel further action if necessary.
  • A new mechanism will enhance cooperation between platforms and fact-checkers during crises, as seen with the recent surge of migrants from Morocco.

Tech giants Meta and TikTok have committed to voluntary actions aimed at bolstering fact-checking efforts concerning harmful disinformation that fueled the recent migrant rush into Ceuta. The European Union welcomed these commitments but indicated it could impose further obligations if these measures prove insufficient.

Experts suggest that social media disinformation, including rumors like "the Ceuta border is open," played a role in the deadly surge of 72,000 migrants from Morocco into Spain's North African territory. In response, the European Commission has enhanced its coordination with Meta and TikTok, working alongside Europol to establish a mechanism for better platform cooperation with local fact-checkers.

Balazs Ujvari, a spokesperson for the European Commission, stated that the platforms activated their crisis protocols and agreed to an "ad-hoc escalation and cooperation mechanism." He described this as an effective tool for now but emphasized the EU's readiness to take further steps if needed. This mechanism, operating voluntarily under the Commission's coordination, can be activated during crises under the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).

The platforms confirmed that they activated their crisis protocols and… it was decided that an ad-hoc escalation and cooperation mechanism would be put in place.

— Balazs UjvariDescribing the voluntary measures agreed upon by Meta and TikTok to address disinformation during the Ceuta migrant crisis.

It aims to provide platforms with improved information from fact-checkers tasked with identifying "harmful disinformation related to, for example, a potential new mass crossing of the border." The EU held talks with Meta and TikTok on Friday and Monday, and Brussels remains in communication with the companies. AFP, a fact-checking partner in Spain, is among the media outlets paid by some platforms to combat disinformation.

A Meta spokesperson confirmed real-time monitoring and content removal that violates policies, including human smuggling services. TikTok also highlighted its strict rules against content promoting illegal border crossings and its collaboration with fact-checking organizations like Newtral in Spain and MapExpress in Morocco.

For now, we think that this is an effective tool. But of course, if needed, we are ready to go further.

— Balazs UjvariIndicating the EU's stance on the voluntary measures and its readiness to impose further actions if necessary.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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