Ceuta: No evidence of campaigning on social media

Ceuta, Spain, A surge of migrants reached the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in late July, raising suspicions that social media platforms might have played a role in orchestrating the movement. However, after three weeks of investigation, researchers have found no conclusive evidence of a centrally coordinated campaign or hybrid attack on the European Union. Despite this, social media has been identified as a significant factor in the migration flow. The influx of thousands of asylum seekers, many of them minors, has created a complex situation in Ceuta, where the number of arrivals has continued to rise even after the peak on July 30 and 31. According to reports from local residents and analysis conducted by CORRECTIV, while there were no direct proof of a coordinated effort, social media played a crucial role in informing and mobilizing individuals seeking entry into the region. Salim, an 18-year-old from Fes, Morocco, shared with reporters in Ceuta that he had long planned to leave his home country due to economic hardship. He mentioned that his family struggled to earn enough money, and he saw on Instagram that the border was open. Similar accounts came from other asylum seekers interviewed by CORRECTIV, who described how they verified information through calls to relatives already in Ceuta. The data shows that the increase in border crossings began well before the mass arrival on July 30 and 31. Local authorities noted an uptick in migration pressure since spring, though no warnings were issued prior to the sudden spike in numbers. A spokesperson for Spain’s Interior Ministry confirmed that while the trend was observed, there was no indication of an imminent large-scale influx. One video shared by Salim, which has received over 50,000 likes, depicts dozens of people running through a gate on the Spanish side of Ceuta. The location was independently verified by CORRECTIV as being directly at the border crossing. This footage, along with others, highlights the emotional impact of the migration wave on those involved. While authentic content circulated widely, misleading and false information also spread across platforms. Analysis by the Spanish fact-checking organization Maldita, in collaboration with the Arab Fact-Checking Network, revealed more than 200 posts with identical Arabic text published on July 30. These posts misinterpreted a court ruling, contributing to the belief that the border was open. However, the mass crossing had already begun by that point. Before the court ruling on June 29, discussions in Facebook groups indicated that some users were sharing methods to cross the border. Offers of assistance were also posted, though their authenticity could not be confirmed. CORRECTIV reviewed these interactions and found no clear signs of organized coordination. In addition to these posts, Maldita analyzed over 1,000 Arabic messages on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Among the findings were several instances of misinformation and calls for another attempt to cross the border on August 15. Both the Spanish daily El País and CORRECTIV reported similar observations. Yet, despite the volume of activity, no central coordination emerged from the data collected. Profiles on Instagram and Facebook have also shared seemingly personal photos with references to August 15, 2026, suggesting ongoing interest in future migration attempts. While these posts may indicate continued engagement with the issue, they do not support the existence of a unified strategy or campaign.