In Albania, Tiktok will be “temporarily” closed “in the coming days”

Following the announcement of its ban which had been made several months ago, the Tiktok platform, owned by the Chinese group bytedance, will be cut in Albania in the coming days, announced the government, Thursday, March 6, without more details on the duration of this temporary ban. “The competent authorities, in cooperation with Internet access providers and digital platforms, will take the necessary measures to bring into force the decision in the coming days or within a week”said the Minister of Education, Ogerta Manastilleru.

The ban was first announced by the Albanian government on December 21, less than a month after the death of a 14 -year -old student during a brawl near a tirana school, which occurred after a conflict on social networks. The death of the adolescent had caused a debate in the country between parents, psychologists and educational institutions on the effects of social networks on young people. Prime Minister EDI Rama then declared that the platform would be closed in the country for at least a year, from the beginning of 2025.

“The decision to temporarily close Tiktok is, on the one hand, a decision made after a vast consultation of 65,000 parents and teachers, and, on the other hand, it is a decision that was made once the necessary technical capacities were guaranteed”said Rama, in a message published on X Thursday.

Opposition criticism

“We have started a very positive dialogue with Tiktok, whose representatives will soon come to Albania to present a series of measures to improve children’s safety, including in Albanian language”However, added the head of government, suggesting that in the event of an agreement found, the ban will be lifted.

His decision was criticized by the opposition, which considered that the ban could play in favor of its electoral campaign as the legislative elections approached, which will be held in May. “With this act of censorship which affects more than a million Tiktok users in Albania, Edi Raman puts Albania at the same level as Afghanistan and Iran”said Sali Berisha, head of the opposition, at a press conference in Tirana.

Tiktok has more than a billion active users around the world. The application is particularly acclaimed by young people, seduced by its ultra -crew video formats that can be scrolled continuously. The platform surpasses all of its competitors by its ability to capture attention. In 2024, Android users used it on average for thirty-four hours each month, according to a We are social report.

Neighboring countries of Albania, such as Kosovo, North Macedonia and Serbia, have also reported negative impact of the platform, especially on young people.

Tiktok was accused of spying in the United States and is the subject of an investigation by the European Union, as it is accused of having been used to influence the presidential election in Romania, in favor of a far-right candidate. The platform has also been prohibited to use by the staff of public institutions in several countries.