TIKTOK HAS BEEN asked for the second time to attend an Oireachtas committee meeting to discuss the role of their videos in a fatal crash involving a car driving the wrong way on Sunday.

The social media giant rejected the committee’s initial invitation which came on Wednesday, citing ongoing inquiries by An Garda Síochána and Coimisiún na Meán. Instead, it offered the committee a private briefing.

But today, the committee penned a second letter, saying they are “deeply disappointed” by the rejection and urging TikTok to reconsider.

TikTok has come under the microscope after it emerged that many videos were circulating on its site, showing videos and images of vehicles, garda pursuits, and reckless driving, including driving the wrong way down motorways. 

The issue has come to a head following the fatal crash last Sunday, which killed five teenage boys who were driving the wrong way down the M9, and seriously injured three sisters and their seven-year-old nephew. 

The company was asked to appear before the committee to answer questions about the safeguards it has in place to protect users from dangerous and harmful content, and the steps it is taking to “limit and remove content that glorifies irresponsible and illegal activity”, especially “content that potentially places the public in danger”. 

Declining the initial invitation, TikTok took issue with the fact it was the only social media company invited to the meeting, saying on Thursday that other social media companies also play a role. 

The letter, written by Labour TD and media committee chair Alan Kelly, responded to some of TikTok’s reasons for declining the first invitation.

“An Garda Síochána has previously stated that an organisation’s appearance before an Oireachtas Committee is entirely a matter for the Oireachtas and the organisation.

“Coimisiún na Meán has also confirmed to the Committee that it has no issue with TikTok being invited before the Committee.

“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.

“Representatives from The Department of Culture, Communications and
Sport as well as Coimisiún na Meán have also been invited to attend before the
Committee.”

The letter also said that the committee ”will not interfere with any ongoing
garda or regulatory investigations or examinations”.

The meeting will take place on 23 September, and TikTok has until 17 September to RSVP.

TikTok has been contacted for comment.