Albania to ban TikTok for one year starting next week
The Albanian government has approved a one-year ban on TikTok, set to take effect next week. The decision, made Thursday, will be enforced by the National Cybersecurity Agency.
Why is this important: The ban follows consultations with parents’ councils, prompted by the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old student at Fan Noli School, a conflict that began on social media. Albania joins a list of other countries that have partially or totally banned TikTok or other social media platforms in certain cases.
Context: During the one-year ban, the Albanian government will continue talks with TikTok executives to push for filters preventing violent or hateful content.
After the decision, Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed the public on the social media platform X, stating that discussions with TikTok are ongoing and that company representatives plan to visit Albania to present new child safety measures.
“The decision to temporarily ban TikTok came after broad consultation with 65,000 parents and teachers and after strengthening our technical capacities. We are in positive dialogue with the company, which will soon visit Albania to introduce new security measures for children, including in Albanian, as well as innovations in education and learning. We say what we do and do what we say.”
Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha condemned the ban, calling it censorship during the election campaign. In an urgent press statement, he called for a national protest on March 15, demanding the decision be reversed immediately.
“A blatant act of fanaticism, intolerance, and fear—pure terror against free thought and expression! On March 15, a nationwide protest will take place in Skanderbeg Square, demanding the immediate repeal of the censorship and the lifting of the TikTok ban.”
What’s next: The government’s talks with TikTok executives could determine whether the ban remains in place for the full year or is lifted earlier. Meanwhile, political opposition and public reaction could lead to further debates or legal challenges in the coming months.
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