At the end of September 2021, Frontex and Europol finalized a joint Report dedicated to the digitalisation of migrant smuggling. The report looks at the development of digital tools and services that enable all stages of migrant smuggling, such as advertising, recruitment, communication, guidance, and payment.

So far, the tools most frequently detected in the context of migrant smuggling are commonly available apps, e.g. Facebook and WhatsApp. The report predicts the development of apps customized for migrant smuggling as the next logical step. In order to circumvent law enforcement measures, digital solutions are frequently used to conceal, lock, encrypt, delete, and modify content on devices as well as in the communication itself. The annexes to the report provide an overview of apps and platforms identified in connection with migrant smuggling. Recommendations are also made for the handling of seized mobile communication devices.