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

An important development from the financial markets: X pledges quicker action on hate and terror content in the UK3 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleLaura CressTechnology reporterReutersSocial media platform X has pledged to review UK reports of suspected illegal hate and terrorist content within 24 hours on average, under commitments accepted by Ofcom. The Elon Musk-owned company said this would apply to content flagged through its illegal content reporting tool. Ofcom's online safety director Oliver Griffiths called the commitments a "step forward" and said they were of particular importance after recent religiously-motivated crimes targeting Jewish communities in the UK.

Ofcom said a separate investigation into X's AI tool Grok, over concerns it was used to create sexualised images, is ongoing. The has contacted X for comment. The announcement follows the launch of an Ofcom compliance programme in December, assessing whether the biggest social media companies have adequate systems and processes for dealing with reports of illegal hate and terror material.

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Griffiths said the regulator had evidence that terrorist content and illegal hate speech was "persisting on some of the largest social media sites". He said Ofcom was challenging the platforms to tackle the issue and take firmer action. X will submit performance data to Ofcom every three months for a year, so the regulator can monitor whether it is meeting the targets.

While it has set a target to average less than 24 hours for its reviews, it has also promised to assess at least 85% of reports within 48 hours. Ofcom also set out two further commitments from X to better protect UK users from illegal hate and terror content. Under the first, the company will engage with experts about reporting systems for such content.

Ofcom said this followed concerns from some organisations that they had flagged "multiple pieces" of suspected illegal hate and terrorist content to X, but were unclear whether the reports had been received or acted upon. X's second commitment is to withhold UK access to accounts reported for posting UK illegal terrorist content, if it determines they are operated by, or on behalf of, a terrorist organisation proscribed in the UK. Getty ImagesKing Charles III met several members of the Jewish community in Golders Green following an attack in the neighbourhoodDanny Stone, chief executive of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, said the action was a "good start" but that there was still more to do.

"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 seen 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.

Financial markets are tracking the development closely as investors assess the likely impact.