Kelly urges TikTok to reconsider committe invitation

Labour TD and chair of the Oireachtas committee on media Alan Kelly has responded to TikTok's decision to reject an invite to the committee to discuss the posting of illegal criminal videos by saying the platform, Google, Meta and X must now attend.

On Wednesday, Mr Kelly wrote to TikTok raising significant concerns over the posting of videos of people driving the wrong way down motorways, and other illegal activity, on the platform.

TikTok declined the invite yesterday, saying it feels it cannot attend due to the ongoing garda investigation into Sunday's M9 motorway crash and a Coimisiún na Meán examination of social media content relating to the incident.

The social media giant also said it did not feel it would be appropriate for it to be the only platform to attend a media committee meeting on the issue, but added it would be happy to consider a private meeting.

In response, Mr Kelly this evening wrote back to TikTok to voice his disappointment at the decision.

He added that Google, Meta and X, and potentially any other relevant firms, will now be invited to attend as well, given what he said is the significant public concern over the situation.

"I am deeply disappointed by your response and TikTok's refusal to engage with the committee in public session, and urge you to reconsider," he wrote.

"The committee again invites you and/or any other relevant representatives from your organisation to a meeting of the committee in public session to discuss the following topic - online content promoting criminal activity.

"Representatives from X, Google and Meta have been invited to attend before the committee."

Mr Kelly's five-page letter concludes by outlining the detailed rules for attending the committee, and what information should be provided during a public session.