X Pledges Faster Review of Illegal Hate and Terror Content in UK
Social media platform X has committed to reviewing reports of suspected illegal hate and terrorist content in the UK within an average of 24 hours, as part of a set of commitments accepted by the UK communications regulator Ofcom.
The company, owned by Elon Musk, stated that this timeframe will apply specifically to content flagged through its illegal content reporting tool.
Ofcom's online safety director, Oliver Griffiths, described the commitments as a "step forward," emphasizing their significance in light of recent religiously motivated attacks targeting Jewish communities across the UK.
Ofcom also confirmed that a separate investigation into X's AI tool Grok remains ongoing, amid concerns that it has been used to generate sexualised images.
The BBC has reached out to X for comment regarding these developments.
The announcement follows the launch of an Ofcom compliance programme in December, which evaluates whether major social media companies have sufficient systems and processes to handle reports of illegal hate and terrorist material effectively.
Ofcom's Regulatory Approach and X's Commitments
Griffiths noted that the regulator has evidence indicating that terrorist content and illegal hate speech continue to persist on some of the largest social media platforms.
"We have evidence that terrorist content and illegal hate speech is persisting on some of the largest social media sites,"he said, adding that Ofcom is challenging these platforms to address the issue more robustly.
As part of its commitments, X will provide Ofcom with performance data every three months for a year, enabling the regulator to monitor whether the platform is meeting its targets.
While X aims to average less than 24 hours for reviewing reports, it has also pledged to assess at least 85% of reports within 48 hours.
Ofcom outlined two additional commitments from X designed to enhance protection for UK users against illegal hate and terrorist content.
The first commitment involves engaging with experts to improve reporting systems for such content. This follows concerns from some organisations that they had flagged multiple pieces of suspected illegal hate and terrorist content to X but were uncertain whether their reports had been received or acted upon.
The second commitment requires X to restrict UK access to accounts reported for posting UK illegal terrorist content if the company determines that these accounts are operated by, or on behalf of, terrorist organisations proscribed in the UK.
Reactions from Advocacy Groups and Context of Recent Attacks
Danny Stone, chief executive of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, described the action as a "good start" but emphasized that more work remains.
"X is failing in so many regards to tackle open racism on its platform,"he said.
"We know where this online harm leads, and so for the sake and safety of all of us in Britain, I hope Ofcom will hold X to account for what it has promised the regulator it will do."
The UK has experienced a series of recent attacks targeting Jewish communities, including the Heaton Park Synagogue attack in Manchester in October 2025, an attack in Golders Green in April, and recent arson attempts on Jewish sites in London.
King Charles III met several members of the Jewish community in Golders Green following an attack in the neighbourhood.
Iman Atta, director of Tell Mama, a national project that records anti-Muslim incidents in the UK, welcomed the updated targets, stating they indicate "a more accountable approach."
"We are particularly encouraged by the commitment to take action against accounts operated by or on behalf of terrorist organisations proscribed in the UK,"she said.
"This sends an important message that no platform or body operating in this country is above scrutiny,"adding that the true measure is "not what is promised, but what is delivered."
for our Tech Decoded newsletter to follow the world's top tech stories and trends. Outside the UK? here.
A green promotional banner with black squares and rectangles forming pixels, moving in from the right. The text says: “Tech Decoded: The world’s biggest tech news in your inbox every Monday.”
