X pledges quicker action on hate and terror content in the UK

Social media platform X has committed to reviewing reports of suspected illegal hate and terrorist content originating in the UK within an average of 24 hours, following agreements with the UK regulator Ofcom. This pledge applies to content flagged through X’s illegal content reporting tool and is part of a broader compliance programme launched by Ofcom to ensure major social media companies have effective systems to handle illegal hate and terror material. X will provide performance data to Ofcom quarterly for a year to monitor adherence to these targets, which include assessing at least 85% of reports within 48 hours. Ofcom’s online safety director, Oliver Griffiths, described the commitments as a significant step forward, especially in light of recent religiously motivated attacks targeting Jewish communities across the UK. The regulator highlighted ongoing concerns about the persistence of terrorist content and illegal hate speech on major social media platforms, emphasizing the need for firmer action. In addition to faster content review times, X has agreed to engage with experts to improve its reporting systems and to block UK access to accounts linked to proscribed terrorist organizations. The announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of X’s content moderation practices, including a separate investigation into its AI tool Grok over allegations it was used to generate sexualized images. Community leaders welcomed the move but urged continued vigilance. Danny Stone, chief executive of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, acknowledged the commitments as a positive start but stressed that X still struggles to effectively combat racism on its platform. Recent attacks, such as the Heaton Park Synagogue incident in Manchester and arson attempts on Jewish sites in London, underscore the urgency of addressing online hate speech and its real-world consequences. The UK government and Ofcom’s increased regulatory pressure on social media companies reflects a broader effort to curb the spread of harmful content online. X’s commitments signal a willingness to cooperate but also set expectations for accountability in protecting vulnerable communities and preventing the amplification of extremist material.