TikTok declines invite to discuss dangerous driving videos
Thre social media company was asked to attend to discuss "content that glorifies irresponsible or illegal activity".
TikTok has declined an invitation to appear before an Irish parliamentary media committee to discuss videos depicting dangerous driving, specifically individuals driving against traffic on motorways.
This refusal follows a tragic incident early Sunday morning in County Kildare, where five teenagers died while driving the wrong way on a motorway. In the same incident, four other individuals—three women and a seven-year-old boy—sustained injuries; two women are in critical condition, while the third woman and the boy are seriously injured.
TikTok cited two primary reasons for its decision: ongoing examinations by An Garda Síochána and Coimisiún na Meán, and the fact that it was the only company invited to attend.
Previously, TikTok stated it was actively monitoring content related to the incident and removing videos and accounts that violated its guidelines.
Labour TD Alan Kelly, who chairs the media committee, had formally requested TikTok officials to attend a meeting next month to address what he termed "content that glorifies irresponsible or illegal activity." On Tuesday, Ireland's media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, also asked TikTok to detail its response to risky and reckless driving content on its platform.
In a letter to Kelly, Susan Moss, TikTok's head of public policy, explained: "Both An Garda Síochána and Coimisiún na Meán are conducting their own examinations into the matter referred to in the statement by Deputy Kelly. As a result, we believe it would not be possible to appear before the committee in public session until this process is completed."
Moss further noted, "The same issues arises in relation to other social media platforms and messaging services where instances of the content complained of is present. However, those platforms have not been invited to appear before the committee at this time. TikTok does not consider it appropriate to be the sole representative of the video sharing industry in such circumstances."
Kelly expressed his profound disappointment, calling TikTok's decision "deeply disappointing and, frankly, unacceptable given the seriousness of the issues we are seeking to examine," and described it as "a slap in the face to the Irish public." He urged TikTok to "immediately reconsider its decision."
He dismissed the ongoing Garda investigation as an "excuse" and stated he had "no problem" with inviting other social media companies if TikTok wished. Kelly emphasized, "This matter is far too important for them to treat the Irish public this way."
In related developments, Fianna Fáil MEP Billy Kelleher asserted that deliberately driving the wrong way on a motorway is akin to attempted murder, advocating for legislative amendments to reflect the gravity of such offenses.
Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke voiced support for additional penalties for wrong-way driving, a suggestion made by Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan. Burke stressed, "The message needs to go out loud and clear that that will not be tolerated in any shape or form and the gratification of it on social media either is also exceptionally extreme. We really have to do a lot of work in this regard."