The Albanian government of Prime Minister Bajram Begaj has ordered all internet service providers to block access to TikTok by Thursday.
The decision follows concerns about the platform’s impact on young people, particularly after a violent incident linked to social media.
According to a statement by the Electronic and Postal Communications Authority, service providers must block relevant IP addresses and DNS servers linked to the app.
The directive comes after Prime Minister Edi Rama first announced the ban in December, following a confrontation that started online and resulted in the killing of a 14-year-old student and another being injured near a school in Tirana, Arab News reports.
The incident sparked widespread debate on the role of social networks in influencing violence among youths.
However, the opposition has criticised the move, arguing that it could hinder their campaign efforts ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for May.
TikTok enjoys massive popularity among young users, offering an endless stream of short videos. With over one billion active users worldwide, the Chinese-owned platform has frequently found itself at the centre of controversy.
The app has faced espionage allegations in the United States and is currently under investigation by the European Union over claims that it was used to influence Romania’s presidential election in favour of a far-right candidate.
In Albania, authorities have accused TikTok of promoting violent content, including fights at schools.
Elsewhere, the platform has been criticised for confining users to content silos through its opaque algorithm and for facilitating the spread of misinformation, illegal activities, and explicit content.
Several countries, including Pakistan, Nepal, and France (in New Caledonia), have imposed bans on TikTok for different durations. The app continues to face regulatory scrutiny across the world.
Meanwhile, AFP, alongside more than a dozen other fact-checking organisations, is paid by TikTok in several countries to verify videos that may contain false information.
