X agrees to crack down on terror content in UK after antisemitic attacks

X, formerly known as Twitter, has agreed to implement a series of measures aimed at cracking down on terrorist content and illegal hate speech in the UK following a spate of antisemitic attacks. The platform will block access to accounts linked to proscribed terrorist groups and commit to removing illegal hate and terror-related content within 24 hours. These commitments come after regulator Ofcom found evidence of harmful and illegal content related to terrorism persisting on major social media platforms in the UK. X will also submit quarterly performance data to Ofcom over the next year to monitor progress against online safety targets. Ofcom’s Online Safety Group Director, Oliver Griffiths, emphasized the importance of these measures in light of recent hate crimes targeting the Jewish community, including a stabbing attack in Golders Green and a suspected arson attack on Jewish community ambulances in north-west London. Griffiths described the commitments as a “step forward” but acknowledged that significant challenges remain. Ofcom is closely monitoring X’s implementation of these protections and continues to investigate other concerns, including allegations related to Elon Musk’s AI tool Grok, which is under scrutiny for digitally manipulating images of women and girls without consent. The Antisemitism Policy Trust welcomed Ofcom’s intervention, describing it as a positive initial step but cautioning that X still falls short in effectively tackling racism on its platform. Danny Stone, the trust’s chief executive, stressed the real-world consequences of unchecked online hate and urged Ofcom to hold X accountable for fulfilling its promises. The agreement marks a critical moment in the ongoing effort to address online hate speech and terrorism-related content, reflecting growing regulatory pressure on social media companies to enhance user safety in the UK.