Reuters: TikTok ban in Albania sparks debate on freedom of speech, also a blow to businesses

The Albanian government's decision to ban the TikTok platform has sparked debate as most see it as an electoral political move, a violation of freedom of speech and the media, as well as a blow to advertising and business development.

Reuters has cited the example of a citizen who says that the closure of TikTok will hit his business.

Every evening, Ergus Katiaj uploads a video on TikTok reminding customers that his Tirana store delivers chips, cigarettes and alcohol at night. His phone buzzes with orders that add about 1,000 euros to his monthly profit, Reuters reports.

But Katiaj will soon have to find a new way to attract business. Albania's government has imposed a year-long ban on the social media app that it says aims to reduce youth violence but that rights groups and business owners say threatens commerce and free speech ahead of elections in May.

"It will have a huge impact on my business because most of the sales are through delivery thanks to TikTok's free marketing," Katiaj said as he made deliveries around the capital's outskirts.

Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the ban on December 21 after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death in November by another student, a crime that local media reported happened after the boys clashed online. TikTok is expected to be removed in the coming weeks.

The move follows bans or partial bans in at least 20 countries due to concerns about inappropriate videos or security concerns linked to the app's owner, China-based ByteDance, and its closeness to the Chinese government.

In Albania, Rama said the decision came after discussions with parents and teachers, but opponents worry it is part of the prime minister's crackdown on political dissent after a year of popular unrest.

"This creates a dangerous precedent that at any moment governments can shut down various platforms," ​​said Orkidea Xhaferaj, from Tirana-based SCiDEV.

TikTok said it was seeking "urgent clarity" from the Albanian government because it says "multiple reports have in fact confirmed that the videos that led to this incident were being posted on another platform, not TikTok."

Albania has seen regular violent protests over the past year against the imprisonment of political opponents. Demonstrators have thrown petrol bombs at government buildings and police have responded with tear gas and water cannons.

The leaders of the two largest opposition parties, Sali Berisha of the Democratic Party and Ilir Meta of the Freedom Party, are accused of corruption. They deny the charges, which they say are politically motivated.

Arlind Qori, head of the Bashke (Together) political party formed in 2022, said that banning TikTok cuts off a powerful communication tool for the opposition.

"He wants to silence us," Qori said from his office where party supporters sheltered from the cold and discussed their campaign plans.

Rama insists the measure is aimed at protecting young people. In an alley in central Tirana, a photo of the slain student hangs on an electric pole surrounded by dried flowers and messages from friends.

He was stabbed there and walked towards his school bleeding before an ambulance arrived.

"Within China's TikTok, I don't see hooliganism, perversion, violence, bullying, crime ," Rama said when announcing his decision last month.