TikTok accused of fueling youth violence, Albania imposes ban

Albania’s government has started implementing a one-year ban on TikTok starting on Thursday (March 13th), and many users have already found themselves unable to access the platform. The government’s decision is based on concerns about social media fueling violence among youth both inside and outside of schools.

This move by Albania aligns with at least 20 other countries that have either fully or partially banned TikTok, citing concerns that the platform may spread inappropriate content or pose security risks due to its parent company, ByteDance’s, relationship with the Chinese government.

According to Reuters, some Albanian users have reported being unable to access TikTok through their web browsers since noon local time. Ermal Hoxha, a 28-year-old user from Tirana, stated, “I found that the TikTok website cannot be accessed, but the app is still working. Every time I try to enter the site, I receive an error message saying, ‘Cannot access this website, please check if www.tiktok.com is entered incorrectly.'”

Other users have also experienced similar issues. A government official informed Reuters that following the blocking of web browsers, the ban will expand to the TikTok app itself.

The Albanian National Cyber ​​Security Agency (AKSK) has requested all domestic internet service providers to submit written confirmation by Thursday, confirming that TikTok has been shut down.

According to Reuters, the decision to implement this ban was made as early as December last year when a 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed following a dispute on social media with classmates.

In response, TikTok stated that they are seeking further clarification from the Albanian government as their investigation showed that “videos related to this (stabbing) incident were posted on another platform, not TikTok.”

ABC reported that Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu mentioned that authorities have held approximately 1,300 meetings with about 65,000 parents, who “recommended and supported the closure or restriction of the TikTok platform.”

She mentioned that government officials are in communication with TikTok to enact parental controls, age verification, and to add filtering features in Albanian within the app.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama previously criticized TikTok, stating that the content played on the app outside of China is “only rubbish and scoundrels.”

Albania’s largest opposition party, the Democratic Party, has called on the public to gather for a protest in front of the government offices on Saturday, opposing the TikTok ban.