Police Unit Reports 'Massive Drop-Off' in Prosecutions as Social Media Platform Faces Scrutiny
A senior UK police officer has launched a scathing critique of social media platform X, accusing it of deliberately hindering investigations into online abuse targeting footballers. Mike Ankers, deputy director of the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU), told a parliamentary committee that cooperation from the Elon Musk-owned company has become "significantly worse" over the past year, leading to a sharp decline in successful prosecutions.
Speaking at a meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Football, Ankers stated that X appears to be "hiding behind" legal processes that create unacceptable delays. While the platform has never formally refused information requests from law enforcement, Ankers revealed that the procedures it mandates often take 12 to 18 months to complete—far exceeding the typical six-month investigative window for online abuse cases.
A Contrast in Cooperation
Ankers highlighted a stark contrast between X and other major platforms. "With regards to TikTok, Snapchat and Meta, every single other provider will share the information, and we will get it in less than a month," he told MPs. This discrepancy has resulted in a "massive drop-off" in prosecutions related to content on X, as police simply cannot obtain user identification data in time to build cases.
According to UKFPU sources cited by The Guardian, the issue stems from X's apparent use of a "mutual legal assistance treaty" process. Because the company is headquartered in the United States, requests for data on UK users are being routed through US courts, a procedural shift that has emerged over the past 12 months.
The Platform's Response: Anna Zizola, EU Public Policy affairs lead at X, told the same committee that the company "has always complied with requests for information from the police" and has "nothing to gain from having abusers on the platform." She pointed to action taken against over 1.8 million pieces of content violating abuse rules in the first half of 2025.
The Football Context: The criticism comes amid broader concerns about online abuse in football. Experts at the hearing, including online safety analyst Jodie Luker, argued for a more unified approach from football's governing bodies, suggesting The Football Association should take charge of a systemic strategy.
Calls for a Unified Football Front
The parliamentary hearing revealed consensus that football's fragmented approach—with leagues, clubs, and governing bodies all operating separate policies—is limiting effective action against online harms. In response to these calls, an FA spokesperson reiterated that "online abuse has no place in our game" and pointed to a new partnership with the UKFPU and regulator Ofcom designed to combat the issue.
The UKFPU's work remains critical, as demonstrated by Ankers' recent successful prosecution of a man who abused England and Chelsea defender Jess Carter on TikTok during the 2024 European Championships. That case underscored what is possible with timely platform cooperation.
Key Takeaways
- Prosecution Drop: The UK Football Policing Unit reports a "massive drop-off" in successful prosecutions for online abuse originating on X due to delayed data sharing.
- Procedural Delays: X's process for providing user data to UK police can take 12-18 months, exceeding the standard 6-month investigative window for such cases.
- Contrast with Rivals: Other major platforms like Meta (Facebook, Instagram), TikTok, and Snapchat typically provide requested information within a month.
- Football's Fragmented Response: Experts argue the lack of a joined-up approach across football's authorities is hampering the fight against online abuse.