UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said moves by Elon Musk’s X comply with UK law. Starmer spoke after meeting UK media and technology executives in London on Tuesday. The comments came amid scrutiny of social media regulation in Britain and Europe.
Starmer confirmed that the government reviewed actions taken by X. He said regulators found no breaches of UK rules in how X has adjusted its platform policies and operations. The assessment covered changes to content moderation, account management, and platform governance. Starmer did not detail specific actions under review.
The government’s review focused on compliance with the Online Safety Act. The law requires online platforms to protect users from harmful content and to follow strict safety standards. Starmer said X’s measures met legal obligations under the act. The Online Safety Act gives UK authorities powers to fine or block services that fail to comply.
Starmer noted that enforcement agencies, including Ofcom, monitor companies for law adherence. Ofcom is the UK communications regulator. It enforces the Online Safety Act and evaluates digital services for compliance. Starmer said ongoing monitoring will continue.
Starmer’s remarks followed concerns raised by some UK lawmakers and campaigners. They questioned X’s approach to content moderation and changes to policies affecting misinformation, harmful material, and user safety. Some critics urged stronger enforcement of the Online Safety Act against major platforms.
Starmer met executives from technology and media firms in London before commenting on X’s compliance. The meeting included representatives from companies operating digital and social platforms in the UK market.
Starmer reiterated that the UK aims to uphold free expression while ensuring online safety. He said the legal framework tries to balance those objectives. The prime minister did not announce new regulatory actions related to X or other platforms.
Starmer’s government passed the Online Safety Act in 2023. The law took effect in stages, with some provisions enforced from 2024. The act imposes duties on major platforms to limit exposure to harmful content and to protect children online.
Ofcom reviews compliance reports submitted by regulated companies. Platforms must show how they assess and mitigate risks tied to user harm. Ofcom can impose financial penalties or require changes to services when breaches occur.
Starmer’s confirmation that X complies with UK law does not rule out future enforcement. Regulators continue assessing platform practices under existing legislation. Monitoring and compliance checks remain active as digital regulation evolves in the UK.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/technology/uk-pm-starmer-says-musks-x-moves-comply-with-uk-law-2026-01-14/
