Elon Musk's X platform has committed to blocking UK access to accounts linked to banned terrorist groups as part of an agreement with the communications regulator Ofcom to crack down on terrorist and hate content. Under the deal, X will also review suspected illegal terrorist and hate content within 48 hours and seek expert advice on handling user reports of such material.
Ofcom Announces Commitments
The UK's media regulator, Ofcom, announced the commitments as part of a broader effort to ensure social media platforms have adequate systems to deal with terrorist and hate material, amid ongoing concerns that dangerous content remains unaddressed on large platforms. Oliver Griffiths, Ofcom's online safety group director, stated: 'Following intensive engagement carried out by Ofcom's online safety team, X have committed to implementing stronger protections for UK users, which we will now monitor closely.' Griffiths emphasized that the issue of online terrorist and hate content has become even more pressing following a spate of hate crimes against the UK's Jewish community.
Details of the Agreement
Under the agreement, X will block UK access to accounts that post illegal terrorist content and are linked to terrorist organisations proscribed by the UK government. Additionally, X will review at least 85% of illegal terrorist and hate content flagged by its illegal-content reporting tool within 48 hours. The UK's Online Safety Act aims to protect people in the UK from illegal content, including terror- and hate-related material.
Ongoing Investigation and Criticism
Ofcom is continuing its investigation into X for displaying images manipulated with the Grok AI tool, also owned by Musk, which depicted women and girls as partly unclothed. Danny Stone, chief executive of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, called the agreement a 'good start' but noted that X is still 'failing in so many regards' to tackle racism on its platform. Adam Hadley, executive director of Tech Against Terrorism, described the announcement as a 'powerful example of what constructive dialogue between regulators and platforms can deliver.'
X has faced regular criticism over its moderation since Musk acquired the platform, then known as Twitter, for $44 billion in 2022. Last year, Amnesty International accused X of creating a 'staggering amplification of hate' during riots following the Southport murders in 2024. X declined to comment on the agreement.
