Ofcom says X responds faster but illegal-content concerns remain
The regulator says X is meeting response-time commitments while it examines whether the platform is complying with UK online-safety duties.
Ofcom says X has improved how quickly it reviews reports of suspected illegal hate and terrorist content in the UK. The regulator nevertheless remains concerned about whether the platform removes such material effectively and is continuing an investigation into its legal compliance.
Ofcom said on Wednesday that X’s first quarterly report showed improvements in the average time taken to review material reported through the platform’s dedicated UK illegal-content tool. The regulator said the reported performance was within the response-time commitments X made earlier this year.
Those commitments require X to review suspected illegal terrorist and hate content within 24 hours on average over a three-month period. The company also promised to review and assess at least 85% of such reports within 48 hours.
Ofcom said faster review was not the same as effective removal. It has ongoing concerns about the results of X’s response to illegal hate and terror content, and said it had received mixed reports about the company’s promised engagement with third-party experts.
The regulator will compare the company’s figures with its own testing and continue discussions with X. Ofcom said it expects to publish a further analysis early next year, after receiving more data from the platform.
The update also advances a separate investigation. Ofcom began examining X after reports that the Grok account on the platform had been used to create and share sexualised images of real people, including children, which could amount to illegal content.
Ofcom has not made a final finding that X breached its duties. It said that, if it has reasonable grounds to believe there was a failure, it would first issue a provisional view and give X a full opportunity to respond before making a final decision.
The regulator also said X had changed how it restricts pornographic material for accounts whose users have not completed the age-assurance process. Separately, SpaceXAI has restricted UK users from viewing, generating or sharing pornographic content through the standalone Grok image-generation service.
The case illustrates the practical argument at the heart of the Online Safety Act: platforms must respond quickly to illegal material, but regulators must also distinguish between processing reports and taking effective action. For users and businesses, the next significant step will be Ofcom’s assessment of the evidence, not the publication of a final enforcement decision.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Ofcom says X is reviewing reported material faster and within its agreed response-time targets.
- Ofcom still questions how effectively X removes illegal hate and terrorist content.
- The investigation into X’s compliance with the Online Safety Act remains unresolved.
- X has introduced additional restrictions related to pornography and age assurance.
Left
Arguments Platforms with the reach of X should face strong enforcement when illegal material remains available. Faster processing is welcome but insufficient if users are still exposed to hate, terrorism-related content or sexualised abuse, so Ofcom should use its powers if the evidence shows persistent failure.
Values User protection, equality, platform accountability and effective regulation.
Consequences Stronger enforcement could improve safety and force investment in moderation, although it may increase compliance costs for platforms.
Centre
Arguments The regulator should distinguish carefully between response times, removal decisions and legal compliance. Independent testing, transparent evidence and a proper opportunity for X to respond offer a more credible route than announcing sanctions before the investigation is complete.
Values Due process, evidence, proportionality and institutional trust.
Consequences A measured process may produce more durable rules, but it could appear slow to people who expect illegal content to be removed immediately.
Right
Arguments Online safety rules should target clearly illegal material without giving regulators broad powers over lawful speech or political disagreement. X should meet its legal duties, but enforcement must remain narrowly defined, transparent and subject to appeal.
Values Free expression, limited state power, legal certainty and individual responsibility.
Consequences Narrow enforcement may reduce over-removal and protect debate, but weak oversight could leave users exposed if platforms do not act effectively.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Priya Shah — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The article follows Ofcom’s 14 October update and the accompanying Reuters report. It distinguishes reported improvements from Ofcom’s unresolved concerns and does not treat the investigation as a final finding.
- confirmed Ofcom said X’s first quarterly report showed faster review of suspected illegal hate and terrorist content. — This is stated in Ofcom’s update. source
- confirmed X committed to an average 24-hour review period and assessment of at least 85% of reports within 48 hours. — Ofcom lists both commitments in its update. source
- confirmed Ofcom remains concerned about the effectiveness of X’s response to illegal hate and terror content. — The regulator explicitly says it has ongoing concerns. source
- confirmed Ofcom will cross-check X’s performance figures with its own tests and publish further analysis early next year. — Both steps are set out in Ofcom’s statement. source
- confirmed Ofcom has not made a final finding that X breached its duties. — Ofcom says it is still determining compliance and describes a possible provisional-view process. source
- confirmed X and SpaceXAI introduced additional restrictions affecting access to pornography and image generation for UK users. — Ofcom describes changes to X’s age-gating and standalone Grok restrictions. source
Editor's note
Ofcom’s statement provides the primary evidence for the timing commitments, investigation status and Grok restrictions. The regulator has not reached a final conclusion on X’s compliance, so the article does not describe a breach as established.Sources
More on this in other media
- BBC News — „ofcom online safety act”
- The Guardian — „ofcom online safety act”
- Sky News — „ofcom online safety act”