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Latest 15 May 2026
WIN: Ofcom to take action against X over illegal posts, following our complaint
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
We submitted evidence to Ofcom of posts that incite hatred and terrorism on X – now the regulator is taking action
Ofcom has taken action following our complaint over illegal posts on X, forcing the site formerly known as Twitter to remove at least 85% of reported terror and hate posts within 48 hours.
In March 2026 we wrote to Ofcom, together with Hope Not Hate, to demand that X be held to account for its failures to take down illegal posts. We included evidence of X only removing 3.3% of posts and accounts of designated terrorist organisations and known terrorists, and only moderating 4% of posts encouraging extreme violence.
Following our complaint, Ofcom looked into terror and hate content on the platform, and talked to community groups about their experiences. Their findings were a vindication of our work. Ofcom’s own research found that this content is widespread and poorly moderated, raising concerns that X was failing its statutory duties to protect UK users from priority illegal harms.
X is not above the lawChip in
Faced with the threat of massive fines and a formal investigation, X has now buckled. The platform has made a series of significant, public commitments that mark a turning point in accountability. X has committed that the mean removal time of terror and hate content will be less than 24 hours, and to remove 85% of reported terror and hate content within 48 hours.
The platform must also provide quarterly reports to Ofcom, detailing its progress in handling illegal material. And X will now actively engage with UK-based experts to improve its moderation criteria and make sure its AI and human oversight are fit for purpose.
When we hold regulators to account, we can hold to account even the world’s most powerful tech giants.
For too long, X operated like it was above the law. Under the leadership of Elon Musk, X became a megaphone for extremist rhetoric, while the safety guardrails designed to protect the public were systematically dismantled.
The era of impunity for big tech is ending. We’ll be watching closely to make sure X and Ofcom keep illegal posts in check.