BRUSSELS – The EU’s tech chief called on Meta and TikTok to “act decisively” to stem disinformation at times of crisis, saying the European Commission held talks with both platforms Friday following last week’s Ceuta migrant surge.

A wave of social media disinformation is believed to have played a large part in the deadly rush of tens of thousands of men, women and children into Spain’s north African territory, after a rumour that the Ceuta border was open spread on social media.

“Platforms must act decisively in keeping the integrity of the digital space, in particular during crisis situations,” said Henna Virkkunen, commissioner for tech sovereignty, security and democracy.

“Monitoring must increase, cooperation with fact-checkers to be strengthened,” said Virkkunen, adding the EU would be “following up on Monday”.

Spain moved swiftly to send people back from Ceuta, announcing on Aug 4 that of 72,000 people who entered the enclave from Morocco on July 30 and 31, all but 2,000 had returned.

Spanish authorities said 80 people died in the crossings.

The incident was pounced on by right-wing voices as evidence Europe is under siege from uncontrolled immigration. It has caused a diplomatic rift between Spain and fellow EU member Italy, which pushes a tough line on migration.

The EU’s migration chief Magnus Brunner on Aug 4 described the Ceuta episode as a “test” of the bloc’s border security and “resilience to disinformation”.