Albania has pulled the plug on TikTok for a whole year, blaming it for putting kids at risk—just months after a teenager was stabbed to death over an online row.
The shock ban, announced on Thursday, follows the December 2024 murder of 14-year-old Martin Cani, allegedly killed after a social media dispute spiraled out of control.
Education Minister Ogerta Manastirliu said the Cybersecurity Agency will enforce the block within a week, giving time for talks with TikTok. “We must protect our children and teens,” she insisted.
But the move has kicked off a firestorm, with opposition leader Sali Berisha calling it outrageous censorship and urging young people to take to the streets in protest on March 15.
The former prime minister tore into the decision, comparing it to crackdowns in Iran and Afghanistan. “At the height of an election campaign, Albania’s strongman bans TikTok for a year,” he raged, accusing Prime Minister Edi Rama of silencing over a million users.
The government, however, says it’s got nothing to do with censorship and everything to do with keeping kids safe. Officials argue the ban protects against harmful content, misinformation, and data privacy risks—echoing concerns raised by governments worldwide.
Berisha isn’t buying it. He slammed the move as a communist-style blackout, even citing US Vice President JD Vance’s recent warning against social media bans.
Now, the battle is heading to the streets, with thousands expected to join Berisha’s protest in Skanderbeg Square on March 15, demanding the government ditch the ban.
