In a troubling revelation, social media platform X has come under scrutiny for its failure to address numerous reports of racial abuse directed at prominent UK politicians, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. A recent investigation by the think tank British Future highlighted a disconcerting pattern of inaction regarding hate speech, raising significant questions about the platform’s commitment to curbing online racism.
Investigative Findings
British Future, known for its work on social inclusion, reported 30 instances in which Kemi Badenoch was subjected to racial slurs, particularly the N-word. Despite utilising X’s reporting mechanism designed for “hate, abuse or harassment,” the platform largely ignored these appeals. The think tank’s research reveals a disturbing trend; only when posts are categorised as illegal under the UK’s Online Safety Act does X take substantive action. Avaes Mohammad, a researcher with British Future, noted, “Many users report racist posts as hate, but it appears that X does not categorise them as such. Action is only taken when a post is classified as illegal, which makes it a challenging hurdle for users.”
In a particularly striking example, X restricted visibility of just two of the reported posts after Sunder Katwala, the director of British Future, reached out to the platform. He expressed frustration at being expected to navigate an “onerous” reporting process for each incident.
The Role of the Online Safety Act
The Online Safety Act, currently being implemented by Ofcom, mandates social media platforms to remove illegal content, which includes racially aggravated posts. On 15 May, coinciding with Ofcom’s announcement of X’s voluntary commitment to eliminate illegal content within a 48-hour timeframe, British Future reported 33 instances of racial abuse using the P-word against various UK public figures.
Despite the platform’s assurances, none of these 33 posts were removed within the stipulated period. When contacted for clarification, X advised British Future to report these posts through the “UK illegal content” option, indicating that reports made through other channels would not be prioritised under the Online Safety Act’s expedited review process.
Persistent Hate Speech
The situation escalated further when on 26 May, British Future reported an additional nine instances of racial abuse directed at British Asian public figures. Alarmingly, X failed to act on six of these reports, only responding to the three that were flagged as illegal. Furthermore, none of the accounts responsible for these hate-filled messages have faced suspension, including one account that repeatedly used the N-word.
Mohammad highlighted the frequency of these slurs, noting that in the month of May alone, the N-word was used against Badenoch nearly every day, with a staggering spike following her public remarks responding to far-right sentiment. He stated, “The accounts we are reporting are often filled with far-right rhetoric, and the frequency of these slurs highlights the platform’s failure to address this toxic environment.”
Regulatory Oversight
Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has condemned racism in all forms and stated its role is to ensure that platforms have adequate measures in place to comply with their obligations. The regulator confirmed that it would be conducting quarterly reviews of X’s performance regarding its handling of suspected illegal content.
Despite the growing calls for accountability, X has yet to respond to inquiries regarding its inaction on these reported posts. This silence further complicates the narrative surrounding the platform’s commitment to creating a safer online environment.
Why it Matters
The failure of X to act decisively against hate speech not only emboldens individuals who propagate racial abuse but also undermines the broader efforts to foster inclusivity within UK society. As social media continues to play a pivotal role in political discourse, the implications of such inaction could extend far beyond individual posts, potentially influencing public sentiment and political stability. The need for robust measures to combat online racism has never been more urgent, and the spotlight is firmly on platforms like X to fulfil their responsibilities.
