X commits to do more on hate and terror content under pressure from UK watchdog

“We have evidence that terrorist content and illegal hate speech is persisting on some of the largest social media sites. We are challenging them to tackle the problem and expect them 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,” Griffiths added.

After the attack on Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester last October, researchers at nonprofit the Center for Countering Digital Hate identified a range of antisemitic abuse on X, including posts openly calling for further violence against British Jews.

The CCDH’s CEO Imran Ahmed told POLITICO: “We welcome Ofcom’s announcement that X has committed to introducing new protections against illegal hate and terror content, following sustained campaigning by CCDH in the wake of last year’s attack on Heaton Park Synagogue.”

“Online abuse does not exist in isolation. It has real-world consequences for people who are being intimidated and endangered simply because of their faith. Ofcom now has an opportunity to prove that the Online Safety Act can deliver meaningful accountability. We will be watching closely to ensure this results in meaningful action, not just words,” Ahmed added.

X did not immediately respond when contacted for comment.