Dangerous driving clip on Tiktok gained 150,000 views before removal

127 videos of the 'High Risk Viral Challenge' on Meta received upwards of 1.5m views before being taken down

Social media platforms Tiktok, Meta, and Google appeared recently at an Oireachtas media committee hearing to answer over moderation of content in regards to dangerous driving.

A single Irish dangerous driving clip uploaded to TikTok amassed 150,000 views before it was taken down, the platform has revealed.

Meta has also admitted that 127 clips that were identified and taken down since the high-profile fatal M9 crash last month generated about 1.5m views worldwide before enforcement measures were taken.

Social media platforms had been asked to provide information on the number of views viral clips of illegal and wrong-way driving incidents amassed after representatives failed to give details during an almost three-hour Oireachtas committee meeting earlier this week.

Politicians had vented significant frustration with representatives from social media companies, with chairperson and Labour TD Alan Kelly saying platforms had been give ample notice ahead of the appearance.

"I think we're at a watershed moment for these companies, not just TikTok, but it is the platform of choice for most young people, as we all know," he said, before suggesting social media companies should be held criminally liable if they fail to address illegal or dangerous content online.

In follow-up details supplied on Friday, Meta said that across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, it took enforcement action on eight items of Ireland-originated dangerous-driving content between the beginning of December last year and September of this year. 

However, these were age-gated, meaning they were restricted to users over the age of 18 rather than removed.

This content generated about 560,000 views worldwide before enforcement.

'Staggering' amount of views

Following Friday night's release of data, Mr Kelly said in relation to Meta: "Views of the 'High Risk Viral Challenge' in Ireland received a staggering 1.5m views before enforcement action took place. 

"Of the 127 piece of content originating in Ireland, all 127 pieces were eventually taken down.

“Meta was unable to provide data relating to referrals made to gardaí by this evenings deadline. This is deeply concerning given the seriousness of the content, the nature of the content and the broader impact that this content has had across Irish society."

The committee had heard that Meta changed the way it designates driving against oncoming traffic, making it a high-risk viral challenge, after five teens were killed on the M9 when, while driving the wrong way, they collided with another car carrying a family.

Meta revealed that as result of that, enforcement action was taken on 130 items of Ireland-originated viral challenge content, and of those, 127 were removed, with the other three age gated.

This content generated about 1.5m views worldwide before enforcement, Meta said in correspondence.

Proactive escalations

Meanwhile, TikTok has said it made 13 proactive escalations to gardaí in 2025 and 10 proactive escalations have been made by the company so far this year.

At Wednesday's hearing, TikTok representatives told politicians that 83.4% of illegal or dangerous videos were removed before they were viewed, when videos with fewer than 10 views were added this figure rose to 86.5%. 

However, the platform could not provide details around how many people had watched the other 13.5% of clips.

Members had sought the full details around viewership of the remaining videos, with Mr Kelly asking that the details be provided by Friday.

However, the platform only stated that the most view video received 150,000 views, adding that one view does not necessarily equate to one person.

In correspondence, the social media firm, which has around 2.5m Irish users, said the most viewed video did not contain wrong-way driving but featured a car driving at speed interspersed with clips of the car parked.

TikTok added that there was no clear reference to a speedometer or location. However out of an abundance of caution, the company removed the video in question.

Google has sought additional time to collect the details sought by the committee.

• Elaine Loughlin, Political Editor