Senate committee threatens to subpoena TikTok, Meta, Snapchat for snubbing hearings
A Senate committee has threatened to subpoena TikTok, Meta, and Snapchat after the social media giants refused to appear alongside other tech companies.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young expressed her disappointment in a hearing of the Environmental and Communications References Committee she chairs on Monday.
Senator Hanson-Young said the committee would be exploring their powers to compel executives to give evidence.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The terms of reference of the committee includes how they will engage with Australian rules aimed at protecting young people online, including through the upcoming under 16s ban.
“I did also request that Meta, SnapChat and TikTok appear today. They, so far, have refused,” Senator Hanson-Young said.
“We will be discussing what we do. I, for one, think that . . . we should be using the powers of the Senate to subpoena their appearance.”
It comes as Communications Minister Anika Wells revealed she was holding talks with Meta, Snapchat, YouTube and TikTok this week — while a November meeting is planned with X.
Ms Wells — who will be joined by eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant for the discussions — is expected to reiterate expectations of social media giants for Australia’s upcoming under-16s ban.
Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson and Nationals Ross Cadell both echoed Senator Hanson-Young’s concerns about the apps snubbing the committee.
“It’s very disappointing that TikTok and Meta are not here today. This is a matter our committee takes very seriously. It’s simply not good enough,” Senator Henderson said.
“Particularly when we read of media reports which suggest that TikTok and Meta are today meeting with the Minister for Communications.”
Monday’s hearing comes just two months from the launch of the world-first-ban on December 10.
Executives from the eSafety Commission, Australian Child Rights Taskforce, Digital Rights Watch, Tech Policy and Design Institute, The Age Verification Providers Association, Headspace, and Federal Department of Communications are expected to appear later on Monday.
