Albania will block access to China’s TikTok “in the coming days” for up to 12 months to curb negative social influences and protect children from harmful content, the government said on Thursday.
The decision aims to prevent the platform’s role in “inciting violence, particularly among children, and safeguarding personal data,” according to an official statement.
Access will remain suspended until TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, implements technical measures to regulate children’s exposure to the platform and harmful content.
The Ministry of Education and Sports, along with regulatory authorities, will engage in discussions with TikTok representatives and other online platforms to address broader digital safety concerns. Key measures include effective age verification systems and parental controls to shield children from inappropriate content that could harm their physical, psychological, or moral development.
Authorities have also called for stronger moderation of Albanian-language content to prevent the spread of violent material, bullying, hate speech, and inappropriate language.
The National Cybersecurity Authority (AKSK) will oversee the implementation of the ban, the government said. It added that once TikTok complies with the required safety measures, authorities may revise or lift the restrictions.
Prime Minister Edi Rama defended the decision, saying it followed extensive consultations with 65,000 parents and teachers. He emphasized that the move was part of a broader strategy to enhance child protection and online safety.
Rama also stated that the government had first ensured the necessary technical capacities to enforce the measures. He described the process as a “positive and constructive dialogue” with TikTok, which has committed to introducing new safety features, including translating the app into Albanian and integrating educational services.
