Users of TikTok in Albania are facing challenges accessing the platform due to a government ban that came into effect on Thursday, following concerns that social media is exacerbating youth violence both in and outside of schools.
This ban in Albania is consistent with actions taken by approximately 20 other nations over worries regarding inappropriate content and security risks tied to TikTok's owner, ByteDance, and its relationship with the Chinese government.
Some Albanian users have reported difficulties accessing TikTok through web browsers after midday. Ermal Hoxha, a 28-year-old from Tirana, mentioned, "I can see that TikTok is no longer accessible on the web but the app is still working, for now." He encountered an error message whenever he attempted to visit the site: "This site can't be reached. Check if there is a typo in www.tiktok.com."
The ban is anticipated to extend to the app after impacting web browsers, as verified by a government official.
The National Authority for Cybersecurity in Albania has directed all internet providers in the country to confirm in writing that TikTok will be disabled by Thursday.
The decision to ban TikTok was made last December after a 14-year-old boy was fatally stabbed by a schoolmate following disputes on social media. TikTok claimed they were seeking clarity from the Albanian government since their investigation purportedly demonstrated that the videos related to the incident were posted on a different platform, not TikTok.
Isa Myzyraj, the leader of the Association of Journalists in Albania, affirmed that the group plans to challenge the ban in the Constitutional Court, stating it violates freedom of expression and amounts to censorship.
Concerns have been raised by opposition parties regarding the government's motives, with accusations against Prime Minister Edi Rama for allegedly attempting to stifle dissent by shutting down a platform frequently used for criticism, especially as they believe the government is tightening its grip on mainstream media. The government denies these allegations.
The Democratic Party, the primary opposition party, has scheduled a demonstration on Saturday in protest against the ban on TikTok.
Rama criticized the app for displaying videos from outside China showing "only scum and scoundrels."