Tempoary suspension of TikTok cannot be ruled out, says Andrews

Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews has said that a temporary suspension of TikTok cannot be ruled out.

Andrews was speaking after TikTok refused to appear before an Oireachtas committee.

Under Irish law, a person or organisation that is summoned to appear before an Oireachtas committee is not obligated to do so.

Andrews called TikTok’s snub “unacceptable,” with the social media giant under fire for its lack of moderation on the popular app.

In the wake of the deadly M9 crash in mid-August, TikTok have been criticised for their inconsitent moderation, and in some cases, total lack of moderation standards.

Andrews said “TikTok is clearly being used to fuel the latest crime spree of joyriding on our roads which has led to several deaths.”

“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,” he said.

Andrews’ Fianna Fáil colleague, Michael McGrath, serves as Ireland’s EU Commissioner and has consumer protection as part of his brief.

“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 remarked.

“What is quite ironic is that China itself bans the international version of TikTok at home. The EU institutions in Brussels and many EU governments, including Ireland, have also banned TikTok from official devices due to security and privacy fears, and yet we still allow it full access to millions of young people in Europe,” he noted.

Per Andrews, the Commission has already issued preliminary findings in three separate investigations in the past year alone that TikTok are not adhering to EU law.

“If TikTok do not comply with those EU investigative findings and any resulting fines do not work, the Commission must activate the relevant legal clauses which allow for the temporary suspension of TikTok in Europe,” he said.