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UK media regulator says X promises to crack down on terrorist and hate content

TECH

UK media regulator says X promises to crack down on terrorist and hate content
TECH

TECH

UK media regulator says X promises to crack down on terrorist and hate content

2026-05-15 23:24 Last Updated At:05-16 11:24

LONDON (AP) — Elon Musk's social media platform X has pledged to crack down on hate and terrorist content in Britain, the country's media regulator said Friday.

Ofcom said X's public commitments include restricting access in the U.K. to accounts operated by or on behalf of terrorist groups that the country has banned.

The platform also promised to review suspected illegal terrorist and hate content within 24 hours on average, and to assess 85% of the material no more than 48 hours after users have flagged it, officials said.

A spokesperson for X in the U.K. did not respond to a request for comment.

In response to concerns from some civil society groups that X failed to follow up after illegal content was flagged by users, X will engage with experts on how to improve its reporting systems, Ofcom said. X will submit quarterly performance data over a 12-month period so the regular can compare its performance against these targets.

The regulator said there's evidence that terrorist content and illegal hate speech is “persisting” on social media sites and that it expects tech companies to take “firm action.”

“This is of particular importance in the U.K. following a number of recent hate motivated crimes suffered by the country’s Jewish community,” Oliver Griffiths, director of Ofcom's online safety group, said.

Britain’s Jewish community, which numbers about 300,000 people, has faced growing attacks online and in the streets, including a string of arson attacks and a double stabbing that have sparked fear and anger among Jews.

X and Musk's artificial intelligence chatbot Grok faced intensifying global scrutiny earlier this year over after Grok, which can be accessed through X, pumped out nonconsensual deepfake images.

Ofcom responded by launching an investigation into whether Grok failed to protect users from illegal content, which Griffiths said was ongoing.

The Grok controversy also resulted in European Union regulators targeting X over whether it has done enough to contain the spread of illegal content. French prosecutors, meanwhile, sought charges last week against Musk and X including denial of crimes against humanity.

FILE - Elon Musk attends the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)

FILE - Elon Musk attends the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Jan. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber, File)

President Donald Trump began his weekend visit to Ireland with talks with the country’s president and prime minister, before traveling to watch the Irish Open golf tournament held on a course he owns on the country’s Atlantic coast.

U.S. President Donald Trump and son Eric Trump watch the Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links course in Doonbeg, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

U.S. President Donald Trump and son Eric Trump watch the Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links course in Doonbeg, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Air Force One flies over the site of the Irish Open golf tournament at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, County Clare, on its way to Shannon Airport in Shannon, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Air Force One flies over the site of the Irish Open golf tournament at Trump International Golf Links in Doonbeg, County Clare, on its way to Shannon Airport in Shannon, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump and son Eric Trump watch the Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links course in Doonbeg, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

U.S. President Donald Trump and son Eric Trump watch the Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links course in Doonbeg, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

U.S. President Donald Trump chats with US golfer Brooks Koepka at the Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links course in Doonbeg, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

U.S. President Donald Trump chats with US golfer Brooks Koepka at the Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links course in Doonbeg, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

U.S. President Donald Trump waves after disembarking Air Force One on arrival at Shannon Airport in Shannon, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump waves after disembarking Air Force One on arrival at Shannon Airport in Shannon, Ireland, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Protesters with balloons demonstrate against the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Protesters with balloons demonstrate against the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Protesters against the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Protesters against the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump gather in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Soldiers from the Guard of Honor prepare for a review by U.S. President Donald Trump at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Soldiers from the Guard of Honor prepare for a review by U.S. President Donald Trump at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump, center, during a review of soldiers from the Guard of Honor during a visit with Ireland's President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump, center, during a review of soldiers from the Guard of Honor during a visit with Ireland's President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump leaves after visiting Ireland's President Catherine Connolly Guard at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

U.S. President Donald Trump leaves after visiting Ireland's President Catherine Connolly Guard at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

U.S. President Donald Trump's family, Donald Trump Jr, rear right, and wife Bettina, third right, and their children are welcomed by Ireland's President Catherine Connolly at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

U.S. President Donald Trump's family, Donald Trump Jr, rear right, and wife Bettina, third right, and their children are welcomed by Ireland's President Catherine Connolly at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin, left, shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Ireland's Prime Minister Micheál Martin, left, shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump during a meeting at Farmleigh House in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump reviews soldiers from the Guard of Honor during a visit with Ireland's President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump reviews soldiers from the Guard of Honor during a visit with Ireland's President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump reviews soldiers from the Guard of Honor during a visit with Ireland's President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump reviews soldiers from the Guard of Honor during a visit with Ireland's President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump receives the Guard of Honour at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

U.S. President Donald Trump receives the Guard of Honour at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Air Force One, carrying U.S. President Donald Trump, prepares to land at Dublin Airport in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Air Force One, carrying U.S. President Donald Trump, prepares to land at Dublin Airport in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

The newly designated Air Force One, top, with U.S. President Donald Trump on board, sits on the runway as the old version of the plane is in the background, at Dublin Airport in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

The newly designated Air Force One, top, with U.S. President Donald Trump on board, sits on the runway as the old version of the plane is in the background, at Dublin Airport in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Donald Trump Jr, center, walks with his children after disembarking Air Force One on arrival at Dublin Airport in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Donald Trump Jr, center, walks with his children after disembarking Air Force One on arrival at Dublin Airport in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump receives the Guard of Honour at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

U.S. President Donald Trump receives the Guard of Honour at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

U.S. President Donald Trump receives the Guard of Honour at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

U.S. President Donald Trump receives the Guard of Honour at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he is welcomed by Ireland's President Catherine Connolly at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he is welcomed by Ireland's President Catherine Connolly at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

U.S. President Donald Trump reviews soldiers from the Guard of Honor during a visit with Ireland's President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump reviews soldiers from the Guard of Honor during a visit with Ireland's President Catherine Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump, center, is greeted by Ireland's Finance Minister Simon Harris, left, during arrival at Dublin Airport in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump, center, is greeted by Ireland's Finance Minister Simon Harris, left, during arrival at Dublin Airport in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump stands on the red carpet after disembarking Air Force One at Dublin Airport in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump stands on the red carpet after disembarking Air Force One at Dublin Airport in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Dublin Airport in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force One at Dublin Airport in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Ireland's President Catherine Connolly, center left, greets U.S. President Donald Trump, center right, during a meeting at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Ireland's President Catherine Connolly, center left, greets U.S. President Donald Trump, center right, during a meeting at Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

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