Congress orders Meta, TikTok execs to explain absences

The joint congressional committee investigating fake news online has issued show cause orders to executives of Meta (Facebook) and ByteDance (TikTok) for skipping a second hearing on Tuesday.

House Representative Rodge Gutierrez cited Google's attendance as precedent, noting that despite being an international company, Google Philippines sent a representative.

The committee received a letter from White and Case on behalf of Meta stating that Facebook Philippines is not authorized to receive the invitation; however, Gutierrez questioned this justification.

ByteDance cited an engagement in Singapore for their absence, but Gutierrez noted this was unsubstantiated and requested show cause orders be issued.

Specifically named in the orders are Henickson David from Facebook Philippines and Peachy Paderna from ByteDance Philippines.