TIRANA: The Albanian government’s recent decision to impose a year-long ban on TikTok has ignited heated debate over the impact on free speech, commerce, and political expression. The ban, announced on December 21 by Prime Minister Edi Rama, aims to address concerns over youth violence, but critics argue it could stifle business and political freedoms, especially as the country heads into May elections.
For entrepreneurs like Ergus Katiaj, who relies on TikTok to market his delivery service for potato chips, cigarettes, and alcohol in Tirana, the ban is a serious blow. Katiaj, who has seen his monthly profits increase by around 1,000 euros thanks to TikTok’s marketing power, expressed concern about finding new ways to attract customers. “Most of the sales come through delivery thanks to TikTok’s free marketing,” he said, highlighting the growing reliance on social media platforms for business in Albania.
The government’s decision to ban the app follows a tragic incident in November when a 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed by a fellow student after an online altercation, reportedly linked to TikTok. The Albanian authorities claim that the ban is necessary to reduce incidents of youth violence and protect public safety. TikTok is expected to be removed from the country in the coming weeks.
The move adds Albania to the list of at least 20 countries that have banned or restricted TikTok, citing concerns over inappropriate content, data privacy, and security risks associated with the app’s Chinese parent company, ByteDance. However, critics argue that the ban might be part of a broader political crackdown, as Albania grapples with a year of unrest and protests against the government’s actions.
Orkidea Xhaferaj from the Tirana-based think tank SCiDEV warned that such measures create a dangerous precedent, where governments could shut down platforms at will. “This opens the door for governments to censor platforms and restrict free speech,” Xhaferaj said.
TikTok has disputed the Albanian government’s claims, saying that videos related to the stabbing incident were actually posted on another platform, not TikTok. Despite this, the ban has raised questions about the government’s motivations, particularly after violent protests last year against the imprisonment of political opponents.
The opposition in Albania, particularly leaders like Sali Berisha and Ilir Meta, both facing corruption charges they claim are politically motivated, have criticized the TikTok ban as an attempt to silence dissent. Arlind Qori, leader of the Bashke political party, expressed concerns that the move curtails a key tool for opposition communication. “He wants to close our mouth,” Qori said, emphasizing how social media has become vital for political dialogue.
While Prime Minister Rama insists the ban is in the interest of protecting young people from harmful content, the decision has left many questioning whether it undermines the principles of free speech and democracy. A photo of the slain schoolboy, surrounded by flowers and messages from friends, serves as a somber reminder of the tragedy that sparked the ban.
In announcing the decision, Rama remarked that the version of TikTok in China did not feature “hooliganism, perversity, violence, bullying, or crime,” in contrast to the platform’s international content, which he criticized as promoting harmful behavior. “Why do we need this?” Rama asked rhetorically, as the nation grapples with the balance between security and freedoms.
