TL;DR
X has agreed to new measures to limit illegal hate and terror content in the UK, including account restrictions and faster reporting assessments. Ofcom will monitor compliance over the next year.
Ofcom has accepted new commitments from X aimed at reducing illegal hate and terror content accessible to UK users, marking a step in regulatory efforts to curb online extremism on the platform.
The British online safety regulator, Ofcom, announced today that it has approved new measures from X to combat illegal hate speech and terrorist content in the UK. Under the agreement, X will restrict access to accounts reported for posting illegal terrorist material, particularly those linked to UK terror groups. The platform also commits to assessing at least 85 percent of reported terror and hate speech within 48 hours, a significant increase in response speed.
Furthermore, X will collaborate with external experts to improve its reporting systems for illegal content and will submit quarterly performance data to Ofcom over the next 12 months to demonstrate compliance. These measures are part of a broader effort by the regulator to ensure social media platforms actively address the spread of harmful content, following a compliance investigation launched in December 2023.
Why It Matters
This development is significant because it signals increased regulatory pressure on major social media platforms to actively police illegal hate and terror content in the UK. The commitments could lead to fines if X fails to meet its obligations, impacting how online platforms manage harmful content and their accountability under UK law.
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Background
Ofcom’s investigation into social media platforms’ handling of illegal content began in December 2023, amid concerns about the persistence of terrorist and hate speech online. The regulator’s focus has been on whether platforms have effective systems for content moderation, with previous reports indicating ongoing challenges. X, formerly known as Twitter, has faced scrutiny over its moderation policies, especially following incidents involving AI chatbots and unauthorized content sharing.
“These commitments are a step forward, but there’s a lot more to do. We have evidence that terrorist content and illegal hate speech is persisting on some of the largest social media sites. We are challenging them to tackle the problem and expect them to take firm action.”
— Oliver Griffiths, Ofcom’s online safety director
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What Remains Unclear
It remains unclear how effective these commitments will be in practice, especially given the vague language around proactive content detection and the lack of specific measures for automated versus human moderation. Additionally, the extent to which X will be held accountable if it fails to meet these commitments is still uncertain, as Ofcom has not yet imposed fines.
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What’s Next
Over the coming months, Ofcom will monitor X’s compliance through quarterly reports. The regulator has indicated it may impose fines if commitments are not met. The ongoing investigation into how X’s chatbot handles illegal content also remains active, with further findings expected.
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Key Questions
What specific actions has X committed to?
X will restrict access to accounts reported for posting illegal terrorist content, assess at least 85% of hate and terror reports within 48 hours, and collaborate with experts to improve reporting systems. It will also submit quarterly compliance data to Ofcom.
Will X be fined if it fails to comply?
While the commitments lay the groundwork for potential fines, no fines have been imposed yet. Ofcom has the authority to do so if X does not meet its obligations.
Does this mean X is now fully compliant with UK online safety rules?
Not necessarily. The commitments are a step forward, but they are somewhat vague and do not specify proactive content detection measures. Full compliance remains to be seen, and ongoing monitoring will determine effectiveness.
What is the current status of the investigation into X’s chatbot?
The investigation into how X’s chatbot handles illegal content, including incidents of non-consensual images, is still ongoing. No final conclusions have been announced.
