Record Year for Social Media Takedowns Linked to People Smuggling

In 2025, the National Crime Agency (NCA) reported a significant increase in the removal of social media accounts associated with organized immigration crime, closing nearly 10,700 accounts, pages, and posts. This figure represents a nearly 33% rise from the approximately 8,000 accounts removed in 2024. Since the NCA began collaborating with social media platforms in late 2021, over 27,000 accounts have been taken down. The NCA's proactive monitoring targets various illegal activities, including advertisements for sham marriages, false identity documents, and fraudulent asylum claims.

Logged out: 2025 record year for takedowns as more than 10,000 social media accounts linked to people smuggling are closed

The NCA's analysis indicates that many of the flagged accounts are operated by low and mid-ranking members of criminal networks primarily located in source and transit countries. These accounts often utilize multiple profiles to maximize outreach and employ coded language, emojis, and video overlays to evade detection. Notably, some posts promote dangerous boat crossings from France to the UK, falsely advertising them as safe transport services.

Logged out: 2025 record year for takedowns as more than 10,000 social media accounts linked to people smuggling are closed

Mike Hulett, head of the NCA’s Online Communication Centre, emphasized the importance of targeting social media to disrupt criminal business models and gather intelligence for ongoing investigations. He stated, “Targeting the social media offering of these criminal networks is just one way we are looking to disrupt their business models.” The NCA continues to work closely with social media companies to enhance the removal of such content, acknowledging that more action is necessary to prevent these platforms from being exploited for criminal activities.

Logged out: 2025 record year for takedowns as more than 10,000 social media accounts linked to people smuggling are closed

The recent enactment of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, effective in early 2026, will criminalize the creation of online material promoting services that facilitate breaches of UK immigration law. Minister for Migration and Citizenship, Mike Tapp, remarked, “My message to people smugglers hiding behind a screen: we are coming after you.” This law aims to bolster the NCA's efforts in dismantling smuggling networks.

Logged out: 2025 record year for takedowns as more than 10,000 social media accounts linked to people smuggling are closed

Despite the NCA's achievements, critics argue that the measures may not be sufficient to fully combat the sophisticated tactics employed by smugglers. Concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness of current strategies and the need for more comprehensive international cooperation to address the root causes of organized immigration crime.

Logged out: 2025 record year for takedowns as more than 10,000 social media accounts linked to people smuggling are closed

While the NCA claims a high success rate in removing flagged accounts, the actual impact on smuggling operations remains uncertain. Some sources suggest that smugglers may quickly adapt their methods, continuing to exploit social media for recruitment and advertisement despite increased scrutiny.

Logged out: 2025 record year for takedowns as more than 10,000 social media accounts linked to people smuggling are closed

The NCA's record year of takedowns highlights the ongoing challenges in combating organized immigration crime through social media. As the agency continues to refine its strategies and collaborate with social media platforms, the effectiveness of these efforts will be closely monitored, particularly with the introduction of new legislation aimed at curbing illegal activities online.

Logged out: 2025 record year for takedowns as more than 10,000 social media accounts linked to people smuggling are closed