SOUTHPORT — Ofcom, the United Kingdom's communications regulator, has directed social media platforms, including X and TikTok, to establish emergency protocols for preventing the rapid distribution of illegal online material. These platforms must maintain a crisis protocol to intervene when the distribution of dangerous content increases.
The regulatory announcement followed civil disorder in Southampton concerning law enforcement actions after the fatal stabbing of Henry Nowak. The Commons science, innovation and technology committee recommended these emergency measures after reviewing events from the summer 2024 civil unrest, which occurred after a fatal attack on three individuals at a dance facility in Southport.
A committee report concluded that "misleading and hateful messaging proliferated rapidly online, amplified by the recommendation algorithms of social media companies." The new protocols specifically apply to content considered illegal under U.K. law. They also require online services to operate a dedicated communication line for police during crisis situations.
Ofcom defines a crisis as an "extraordinary situation in which there is a serious threat to public safety in the United Kingdom" that is highly likely to have "resulted from a significant increase in relevant content." An Ofcom statement indicated that crises are exceptional, and online service providers' usual content moderation systems may not be sufficient in such circumstances.
Ofcom stated that evidence from previous crises shows perpetrators use online services to carry out illegal activity, which can manifest in real-world violence. These measures will be enacted following parliamentary approval. Research by the Centre for Emerging Technology and Security indicated that coordinated public corrections by law enforcement and local officials can reduce the spread of false information. Additionally, an analysis of a vehicle incident at a sports parade in Liverpool determined that a rapid official response decreased online misinformation risks.
No independent assessment was available for this report.