On March 13, Albania completely blocked access to the TikTok social network. The reason for this decision was a conflict between minors, during which a 14-year-old boy died. Law enforcement officers believe that children have been badly influenced by TikTok, informs German wave.
The national body that regulates electronic communications obliged Internet providers to limit access to the application’s servers and to provide written confirmation of compliance with these requirements. Albania will become the first country in Europe to completely block the social network TikTok.
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced his intention to ban the Chinese platform for short videos last year, calling TikTok “a bandit in the neighborhood.” The formal reason for the ban was a conflict involving minors, as a result of which a 14-year-old boy died. According to law enforcement officers, children’s behavior could be influenced by dangerous TikTok trends.
However, the Albanian opposition believes that blocking the network is primarily related to the approaching parliamentary elections, which will take place in two months. Critics accuse Edi Rama of trying to limit the ability of political opponents to campaign through the social network.
