Minister tells social media firms to take down dangerous driving content in wake of fatal A66 crash in Middlesborough – UK politics live
Summary
The UK government has asked social media companies to remove videos that show people driving dangerously, especially the wrong way on roads, after a fatal crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough that killed seven people, including two police officers. The government warned that if social media firms do not act, it will use legal powers from the Online Safety Act to force them to remove such content.Key Facts
- A fatal crash on the A66 near Middlesbrough involved a car driving the wrong way and killed seven people, including two police officers.
- Some of the victims were reportedly involved in making TikTok videos showing dangerous driving.
- The UK government has told social media companies to remove videos that encourage or glorify dangerous driving.
- Defence Minister Luke Pollard spoke about using the Online Safety Act to compel platforms to act if they don’t remove harmful content.
- Similar dangerous driving videos have caused public concern in Ireland after five teenagers died in a wrong-way crash on a motorway in County Kildare.
- Irish police said some drivers on motorways are driving the wrong way to gain social media likes.
- TikTok refused to participate in an Irish parliamentary committee discussion about these dangerous driving videos, citing a police investigation.
- The issue highlights worries about how social media platforms regulate harmful content related to unsafe driving.
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