How did social media spread rumours of an open border?

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Social Media Disinformation Fueled Deadly Migrant Rush into Ceuta

A widespread disinformation campaign on social media, particularly on platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, played a significant role in driving the unprecedented influx of tens of thousands of migrants into Spain's north African territory of Ceuta. This online misinformation, which spread rapidly from early July, falsely suggested that the border was open, leading individuals to risk their lives attempting to reach Spain. Analysis indicates this was not an organic event but a deliberately organised operation amplified by social media.
Online Rumours Led to Mass Border Influx

An estimated 72,000 people entered Ceuta from Morocco between July 30, primarily by swimming around a Mediterranean barrier. This surge resulted in the deaths of at least 78 migrants who drowned attempting the crossing, with Morocco reporting an additional 11 fatalities on its side. The core of the disinformation was a rumour that "the Ceuta border is open," which circulated widely, encouraging men, women, and children to embark on the perilous journey.
Online Campaigns Generated Millions of Views

A specific online campaign, generating 11 million views from early July, is identified as a key factor in fueling the surge. Investigations by security and intelligence analyst Chema Gil and the technology company Golden Owl have concluded with high confidence that the migrant rush was a deliberately organised operation. Marcelino Madrigal, an expert in social media and security, noted that there was prior evidence of an impending crisis, with "rumours, messages and groups" appearing mainly on Facebook and WhatsApp.
Misinterpretation of Court Ruling Amplified by Social Media

The Spanish government has pointed to a deliberate misinterpretation of a Supreme Court ruling from July as a catalyst. This ruling stated that irregular migrants arriving by sea would not be immediately returned. An Instagram post published the day after this ruling falsely claimed it meant the border was open. Mohamed Benaissa, president of the Northern Observatory for Human Rights, highlighted that these messages were disseminated by unidentifiable accounts with minimal interactions, suggesting the potential use of mass-diffusion algorithms.
Social Media's Role in Past and Future Incursions

This is not the first instance of social media encouraging irregular crossings into Ceuta; a similar event in 2024 led to over 150 prosecutions in Morocco. Social media expert Madrigal predicts that the situation is ongoing, citing fresh online posts calling for mass arrivals in August. He suggested that social media platforms bear responsibility for not adequately countering the content that incited the recent rush, warning that similar events are likely to occur globally.

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How did social media spread rumours of an open border?

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