The UK government has been thrust into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with social media giant X, as the Attorney General's Office takes a bold step in restricting its use amidst concerns over disinformation and incitement to violence. In what appears to be a first for a UK government department, officials have reportedly been instructed to cease posting on X, a move that has significant implications for the way the government engages with the public online.
The decision by Richard Hermer's office comes as the government grapples with the fallout from recent incidents of public disorder in Southampton and Belfast. In both cities, far-right activists used X to amplify calls for protests, which ultimately led to widespread violence and injuries sustained by police officers. The Attorney General has long been a vocal critic of social media platforms' potential to exacerbate community divisions, and this directive suggests he is willing to take decisive action to mitigate the risks.
While Downing Street has previously defended government departments' continued presence on X, arguing it's essential for public engagement, Mr Hermer's department seems to be taking a different approach. The instruction to cease posting is understood to allow for exceptions, specifically when actively combating disinformation on the platform. This nuanced approach reflects the complexities of regulating social media in an era of increasing online toxicity.
As ministers become increasingly concerned about the broader impact of social media platforms, this development occurs against a backdrop of potential legislative changes. The Online Safety Act is set to be amended to compel companies like X to act more swiftly in removing inflammatory content during periods of civil unrest or crises. However, these reforms are not expected to come into force until mid-July at the earliest.
The Attorney General's office is not alone in its concerns; Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has indicated potential action against X if it fails to address the proliferation of sexualised images generated by its AI tool. Meanwhile, cabinet ministers like Mr Hermer have advocated for stronger measures against social media sites, including the recently announced ban on social media use for under-16s – a policy that extends beyond similar actions taken in Australia.
During a recent speech, Mr Hermer underscored the importance of maintaining Britain's membership of the European Convention on Human Rights, using the opportunity to critique social media platforms. He stated, “We simply cannot let a very small group of crypto-funded millionaires dictate the terms of public discourse and undermine our democracy.” As the government navigates this delicate landscape, one thing is clear: the relationship between social media and the state is about to get a lot more complicated.