Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama met with Christine Grahn, TikTok’s Head of Government Relations and Public Policy for Europe, during the World Economic Forum in Davos to address concerns regarding the platform’s operation in Albania.
In a statement on Facebook, Rama explained the reasoning behind the government’s decision to temporarily block TikTok access in the country. He also acknowledged discussions with TikTok representatives about possible measures to resolve the issues.
“We raised concerns that led to the temporary closure of the platform in Albania and explored potential solutions offered by the company,” Rama wrote. “The discussion was open and constructive, and we outlined steps for cooperation in the coming weeks and months to enable TikTok’s reopening within a reasonable timeframe. However, this will only happen if all necessary guarantees are provided. Without these assurances, we will be forced to permanently block access to the platform soon.”
The temporary ban decision followed consultations with parents and educators nationwide after the tragic killing of 14-year-old Martin Cani near the “Fan Noli” school in November 2023. The government expressed concerns about TikTok’s role in amplifying harmful content, prompting a crackdown to ensure a safer digital environment for younger users.
While the ban has yet to take effect, the Albanian government remains firm in its stance, emphasizing the need for TikTok to implement robust safeguards and meet its compliance obligations.
