The self-appointed internet sheriffs at Ofcom have provided an update on their investigation into X over potential violations of the Online Safety Act. They confirm they’ve sent ‘legally binding information requests’, and remind everyone they can impose a fine if X fails to comply…
“…we are currently gathering and analysing evidence to determine whether X has broken the law, including using our formal information-gathering powers. The week after we launched our investigation, we sent legally binding information requests to X, to make sure we have the information we need from the company, and further requests continue to be sent.
Firms are required, by law, to respond to all such requests from Ofcom in an accurate, complete and timely way, and they can expect to face fines if they fail to do so.”
Ofcom adds that while it is not yet investigating Grok provider xAi, it is considering looking into how Grok managed age checks relating to pornography. It also insists the investigation is being prioritised “as a matter of urgency” given the public interest. Meanwhile the Parisian police are currently rifling through the bins over in X’s French offices…
Shadow national security minister Alicia Kearns told Times Radio she would have put a precondition on a China trip if she were PM:
“I would have put a precondition that I was not going to go if I was prime minister, unless Jimmy Lai was coming home with me. I would also put a precondition in the six months leading up to the visit that I wanted a reduction in hostile acts against our country. But that’s not what we saw. And actually, in contrast, what we saw was clearly the Chinese Communist Party did put a precondition, which was that the new embassy in London had to be signed off. So why is it okay for China to set preconditions and to make very clear red lines about what they require for a visit, but we go without having put any ourselves?”