The popular social media app TikTok is accessible again in Albania after authorities ended a 12-month prohibition that began following a teenager's death linked to online bullying. Critics argue the ban was politically motivated, while the government maintains it was solely about protecting children online.
The social media platform TikTok has returned to Albania following the expiration of a year-long prohibition this month, highlighting the difficulties governments face when attempting to block online platforms and raising concerns about digital freedom and child safety.
Albanian authorities implemented the restriction last year after a tragic incident involving a 14-year-old student who was fatally stabbed by a classmate, with local news outlets reporting the violence stemmed from an online dispute. TikTok disputed that the conflict began on their platform at the time.
Officials now say the Chinese-owned video-sharing service has implemented adequate safety protocols to warrant lifting the ban. Prime Minister Edi Rama’s administration told Reuters that TikTok addressed their concerns and that the prohibition effectively pressured the company to make changes.
“With its correct behavior toward our concerns, TikTok confirmed to us the expression that ‘the devil is not as black as it seems’,” government officials stated, noting the platform has established “important filters for security and language.”
TikTok representatives chose not to provide comment on the matter. Albanian authorities emphasized there was “no connection” between the platform’s suspension and electoral interference, insisting child protection was the “only goal.”
The timing of the original ban raised eyebrows, occurring just weeks before crucial parliamentary elections in the politically turbulent nation. Albania has experienced significant unrest over corruption allegations, with Rama’s party holding power for an unprecedented fourth consecutive term.
Opposition voices have criticized the move as an attempt to suppress political discourse. “The shutdown of TikTok was certainly a move by the Rama government to manipulate public opinion,” stated Edona Haklaj from the Shqiperia Behet party, which has maintained daily demonstrations outside the Prime Minister’s office since December, though she provided no evidence supporting her claim.
Recent months have seen violent clashes between law enforcement and the main opposition Democratic Party, who are demanding governmental resignation after Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku faced indictment for manipulating public contracts. Rama dismissed Balluku on Thursday, but opposition groups plan to continue protests this Saturday.
Media freedom advocates worry the TikTok restriction could establish a troubling pattern for future censorship during periods of political tension.
“This will create a dangerous precedent,” warned Isa Myzyraj, who leads the Association of Albanian Journalists. “Any government could exploit this precedent to block other social networks or even impose a total internet shutdown.”
Technology expert Brenton Benja, who founded Geek Room Albania and monitored the ban’s effectiveness, noted the restriction had minimal real-world impact since users circumvented controls through virtual private networks (VPNs). This demonstrates the broader challenge of enforcing social media prohibitions against increasingly tech-savvy populations.
Government officials acknowledged in their statement that completely blocking the platform proved “impossible” due to technical obstacles.
“The 1.7 million Albanians we knew were using TikTok at the time it was closed continued to use it throughout the year by turning to alternative methods such as VPNs,” Benja explained.