X agrees to crack down on terror content in UK after antisemitic attacks
X has agreed a set of measures to block terrorist content and illegal hate speech following a series of anti-Semitic attacks in the UK.
Elon Musk’s social media platform will block access to accounts linked to terrorist groups banned in the UK and has committed to removing unlawful hate and terrorism content within 24 hours, according to an update from regulator Ofcom.
He said there was evidence of harmful and illegal content linked to terrorism on the UK’s biggest social media platforms and he expected “tough action” from tech companies.
Oliver Griffiths, director of Ofcom’s Online Safety Group, said the commitments were “particularly important” following a series of incidents targeting the UK’s Jewish community. Two British Jews were stabbed in an attack in Golders Green last month, and a suspected arson attack allegedly targeted Jewish community ambulances in north-west London in March.
The commitments mean the platform will now submit performance data to Ofcom on a quarterly basis over a 12-month period, which will be reviewed against its online security targets.
“Following extensive engagement from Ofcom’s online security team, X has decided to implement stronger protections for UK users and we will now monitor this closely,” Mr Griffiths said in a statement on Friday.
“We have evidence that terrorist content and unlawful hate speech persists on some of the largest social media sites. We are pressing them to address the problem and expect them to take decisive action. This is particularly important in the UK following a number of hate-motivated crimes that the country’s Jewish community has suffered recently.”
He added that the commitments were “a step forward” but there was “more to be done”. Mr Griffiths also confirmed Ofcom’s investigation into Mr Musk’s AI tool Grok was continuing amid claims women and girls were being digitally stripped without their consent.
Danny Stone, chief executive of the Antisemitism Policy Foundation, said he “welcomed” Ofcom’s action, describing it as a “good start” but adding there was “more to be done”.
“But there is more to do. In many ways, X is failing to combat overt racism on its platform,” he continued. “We know where this online harm is going and so for the sake and safety of all of us in Britain, I hope Ofcom will hold X to account for what he has promised the regulator.”
X has been contacted for comment.
