Albania Court Overturns TikTok Ban
Albania's Constitutional Court ruled the government's TikTok ban unconstitutional, citing violations of freedom of speech reported.
The ban was initially imposed in March 2025 following a stabbing incident involving teenagers, with the government citing concerns over the platform's influence on young people and its role in fueling violence. Prime Minister Edi Rama highlighted social media's impact on youth behavior, particularly TikTok and Snapchat, in promoting hate speech. The Albanian Journalists Association and other organizations challenged the ban, arguing it violated the constitutional right to free speech. They viewed the ban as disproportionate, impacting legitimate expression and restricting public debate. The Constitutional Court agreed, stating that interrupting access to TikTok restricted freedom of expression and the press. The court also noted the government hadn't convincingly proven the ban was necessary. Despite the government suspending the ban in early February 2026, the court proceeded with the case due to public interest and to clarify the limits of state intervention in the digital space. Rama criticized the ruling, stating that 90% of Albanian parents and teachers supported the ban.
