Hundreds of protesters gathered in central Tirana on Saturday, rallying against the government’s decision to ban TikTok for a year. Organised by the opposition Democratic Party (PD), the demonstration was framed as a fight for free speech, with critics accusing Prime Minister Edi Rama’s administration of censorship.
With banners reading “Free speech, not censorship” and “Albania 2025: TikTok banned, corruption allowed,” protesters marched to the Prime Minister’s office along the capital’s main boulevard. Many of them, especially young people, argued that the ban is a political move rather than a genuine effort to protect children online.
Former Prime Minister and PD leader Sali Berisha, who attended the protest, praised the turnout and declared it “an extraordinary show of young people standing against censorship.” Speaking after the event, he called the speeches “words worthy of all times” and accused Rama of suppressing digital freedoms.
Government Justifies Ban on Safety Grounds
The Albanian government approved the TikTok ban on 6 March, citing concerns over youth safety following a tragic incident last November. A 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death by a classmate near a school in Tirana, an event that sparked national debates about violence among teenagers and social media’s role in escalating conflicts.
Authorities say TikTok will remain inaccessible in Albania until the platform enforces stricter safety and age regulations for underage users. The ban officially took effect on 13 March, though TikTok remains functional for many users.
While the government insists the decision is about protecting minors, opposition figures claim the ban is politically motivated—an attempt to silence criticism, especially with young Albanians increasingly using TikTok to mock the ruling party.
The debate is far from over. With the platform still accessible and protests growing, Albania’s battle over digital rights and government control is only just beginning.
