EU Monitors Social Media Ahead of Possible Ceuta Crossing

The European Commission is closely monitoring social media ahead of 15 August, which has been mentioned online as a possible date for another mass attempt to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said Brussels would remain vigilant before, during and after that date. Spokesperson Arianna Podesta cautioned that many of the reports circulating online remain unverified and that the situation is still unclear. The Commission is therefore in close contact with the Spanish and Moroccan authorities.

The European Union can also use the Digital Services Act to combat what it calls “disinformation”. The regulation requires large online platforms and search engines to mitigate systemic risks to public safety. Spain has not activated the law's crisis response mechanism.

The Commission also said that, since 30 July, Russian state media, diplomatic channels and Kremlin-aligned sources have significantly increased the circulation of content related to the situation in Ceuta. It said it had not observed similar activity before that date.

The European External Action Service is also monitoring developments.

(efe, lud)