An Irish MEP has warned that TikTok could face a Europe-wide ban.
Fianna Fáil Dublin MEP Barry Andrews stated that a Europe-wide ban of the social media platform could be possible as it was called to face the Oireachtas to answer questions regarding the dangerous and illegal content displayed on its platform.
The social media giant declined requests to meet with the Oireachtas media committee.
The meeting was called as a result of videos being posted on the platform of people driving down the motorways the wrong way after last week's collision on the M9 motorway.
Last week, five teenagers died when the car they were in was driving down the wrong way on the M9, colliding with another vehicle, and injured three women and a boy from the same family.
Responding to the meeting request, a TikTok spokesperson said via RTE that they cannot attend due to the ongoing garda investigation into the M9 crash. They also stated that it was because of the fact that they were the only social media company asked to attend.
Andrews addressed TikToks decision to not attend the meeting in a statement, he said via RTE: "TikTok's refusal to appear before a committee of our national parliament is unacceptable. Ireland is the main regulator of TikTok on behalf of Europe, enforcing EU law, working with the European Commission. They clearly could appear before the Media Committee, discuss their policies in general without commenting on the relevant ongoing investigations."
"Maybe as a Chinese company, TikTok do not fully understand our democratic system. The Oireachtas is our main national oversight body, and their refusal shows a great lack of respect to Ireland as host country," Andrews added.
The first three funerals for the teenagers killed, Joe Carthy, Alex McCarthy and Kamil Pustkowski, were held on Friday, and the funerals for Jeremy O'Brien and Jack Kennedy will be held today and tomorrow.
A child and three women who were also involved in the crash were taken to hospital and are being treated for serious injuries.
