X Commits to 24‑Hour Review of UK Hate and Terror Reports

Ofcom launched a compliance programme in December 2024 to assess whether major platforms have adequate systems for handling illegal hate and terror material. The programme follows a rise in religiously‑motivated attacks on Jewish sites in Manchester, London and elsewhere in 2025, prompting regulators to scrutinise platform responses. Ofcom’s online safety director Oliver Griffiths said the regulator has evidence that such content persists on several large platforms, underscoring the need for faster review cycles. Ofcom also noted an ongoing investigation into X’s AI model Grok, which has been examined for potential misuse in creating sexualised imagery.

X committed to assess UK hate and terror reports in an average of 24 hours. It also promised to process at least 85% of those reports within 48 hours. Griffiths called the pledges a “step forward” and said they address gaps identified after recent attacks. In addition, X agreed to engage with experts on reporting systems and to withhold UK access to accounts deemed operated by or on behalf of proscribed terrorist organisations. X will submit performance data to Ofcom every three months for a year, enabling the regulator to track compliance.

The commitments give Ofcom a measurable benchmark to evaluate X’s response speed. Regular quarterly reports will show whether the platform meets the 24‑hour average and the 85%‑within‑48‑hour target. If X falls short, Ofcom can require further action or escalate enforcement, potentially leading to fines or mandated changes. Industry analysts say the move could pressure other platforms to adopt similar timelines, shaping UK online safety standards. Observers will watch the first quarterly report, due in March 2025, to see if the promises translate into faster removals and tighter controls on terrorist‑linked accounts.