UK regulator sets new rules for X on terror content

What's happened

Ofcom has secured commitments from X to block UK access to accounts tied to banned groups, review illegal content within 24-48 hours, and provide quarterly data for a 12-month period as part of a broader crackdown on terrorist and hate material.

What's behind the headline?

Key points

Ofcom requires that X blocks UK access to accounts linked to proscribed groups and reviews flagged content within 24 hours on average, with 85% assessed within 48 hours.
The deal includes quarterly performance data for comparison over 12 months, and external expert input to improve reporting systems.
Regulators point to persistent terrorist and illegal hate content on major platforms, tying this to recent hate-motivated crimes in the UK.
Stakeholders are split: some call the commitments a starting point, others say more is needed to tackle racism and disinformation.

Implications for readers

UK users should expect tighter moderation and more transparency from platforms, with regulators tracking compliance.
The deal signals ongoing regulatory leverage over major platforms beyond the Online Safety Act, potentially affecting how content is surfaced and flagged.

What comes next

Ofcom will continue monitoring and publish quarterly data for the next year while pursuing related probes into platform tools like Grok.
Further regulatory actions could follow if targets are not met, including potential sanctions or expanded oversight.

How we got here

Ofcom has been pressuring social platforms to curb terror and hate content amid rising incidents in the UK. The agreement with X includes blocking access to banned accounts, rapid review of flagged content, and regular performance reporting over the next year, alongside ongoing investigations into AI-related moderation concerns.

Our analysis

AP News, The Guardian, The Times of Israel, Reuters, Politico — all report Ofcom’s latest conditions on X, including the 24-hour review window, 85% within 48 hours, and quarterly data submission. Reuters and AP News highlight the ongoing Grok-related investigations; The Guardian and The Times of Israel contextualize the response from anti-racism groups and experts.

Go deeper

What exactly will change for UK users on X in the coming weeks?
How will quarterly performance data be used by Ofcom to enforce penalties?
What is Grok and how does it relate to the moderation review process?