X Pledges Illegal Content Crackdown in UK, Ofcom to Monitor

Elon Musk's social media platform X has pledged to intensify its efforts against illegal content to safeguard users in the United Kingdom, according to Britain's media regulator Ofcom [1]. The commitments include reviewing reported illegal terrorist and hate content within an average of 24 hours and blocking accounts associated with proscribed terrorist organizations in the UK [1].

Key takeaways

• X has committed to reviewing suspected illegal terrorist and hate content within an average of 24 hours of it being reported [1].
• The platform also pledged to block accounts linked to proscribed terrorist organizations in the UK [2].
• Ofcom will require X to submit quarterly performance data over 12 months to monitor safety improvements [3].
• Ofcom's online safety director stated that while X's commitments are "a step forward," "there's a lot more to do" [4].

Ofcom's Ongoing Scrutiny and X's Commitments

Ofcom initiated a program last year to ensure that major social media companies have adequate systems in place to manage illegal material shared on their platforms [1]. Oliver Griffiths, Ofcom’s online safety director, noted that there is "evidence that terrorist content and illegal hate speech is persisting on some of the largest social media sites" [2]. While acknowledging X's commitments as "a step forward," Griffiths emphasized that "there’s a lot more to do" [3].

To ensure compliance, X, formerly known as Twitter before Elon Musk's acquisition, will be required to provide quarterly performance data for 12 months [4]. This data will allow Ofcom to monitor the platform's progress in delivering safety improvements for UK users [4]. When contacted by AFP, X did not immediately respond to requests for comment [1].

Broader Concerns and Investigations

Online safety concerns have become particularly prominent in the UK, especially in the wake of a recent increase in antisemitic attacks [1]. In January, Ofcom launched an investigation into X concerning its AI chatbot, Grok, after its image-creation feature was reportedly used to generate sexualized deepfakes [2]. Ofcom confirmed on Friday that this investigation into Grok remains ongoing [3].

Furthermore, Britain's data watchdog has also initiated a broader investigation into X and xAI, the developer of the Grok AI tool [1]. This wider probe aims to determine whether the companies adhered to personal data law in relation to Grok's generation of sexualized deepfakes [4].

Why it matters

The commitments from X and the ongoing monitoring by Ofcom highlight the increasing pressure on social media platforms to combat illegal content and ensure user safety in the UK [1]. The requirement for X to submit regular performance data indicates a more proactive regulatory approach to holding platforms accountable for their content moderation practices [4]. The concurrent investigations into X's Grok AI chatbot by both Ofcom and Britain's data watchdog underscore the growing regulatory focus on the ethical implications and potential misuse of in content generation [1].