The decision of the Council of Ministers to block TikTok in Albania is revealed

2025-03-06 20:43:09Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

The decision of the Council of Ministers to block TikTok in Albania is revealed

The government of Prime Minister Edi Rama has made the decision to officially close the social network "TikTok" throughout the country, for 12 months, starting in a week.

The decision was announced this Thursday by the Minister of Education, Ogerta Manastirliu, who emphasized that within a week or so, the Cybersecurity Agency will close the Chinese platform.

In the Decision of the Council of Ministers published this Thursday, it is emphasized that "the interruption of the on-line platform "TikTok" will last until the provider of this platform enables technical instruments that regulate children's access to this platform and to materials harmful to them."

Following the decision to close TikTok, Prime Minister Edi Rama also reacted, announcing that representatives of the Chinese company will soon come to Albania to present measures to increase child safety.

DECISION ON TAKING TEMPORARY MEASURES TO AVOID THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF THE “TIKTOK” ONLINE PLATFORM

In accordance with Article 100 of the Constitution, Articles 10, points 1, 26, point 1, 139, point, 2, 174 and 177, point 5, of Law No. 54/2024, “On Electronic Communications in the Republic of Albania”, Articles 32, points 4, 32/1, 42 and 46, of Law No. 97/2013, “On Audiovisual Media in the Republic of Albania”, as amended, as well as point 4, Article 27, of Law No. 18/2017, “On the Rights and Protection of the Child”, upon the proposal of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, the Minister of Education and Sports, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Health and Social Protection, the Council of Ministers

DECIDED:

1. Suspension of access to the on-line platform "TikTok" in the territory of the Republic of Albania, for a period of up to 12 (twelve) months, in order to avoid negative impacts and social problems in general, mainly in the promotion of violence, especially among children, which brings problems to their psycho-social development, as well as the protection of personal data.

2. The suspension of the online platform "TikTok" will last until the provider of this platform provides technical tools that regulate children's access to this platform and to materials that are harmful to them.

3. Designating the Ministry of Education and Sports, in the capacity of representative of the Council of Ministers, in cooperation with and through sectoral regulatory authorities, as well as other authorities involved in this process, to communicate and negotiate with representatives of the online platform "TikTok", and with representatives of other online platforms, to address issues in the field of public and social safety in the digital environment, including:

a) the effective operation of functional age verification systems for platform users;
b) the operation of parental control systems regarding content that harms the physical, psychological or moral development of children;
c) avoiding the publication of materials containing violence, bullying, hate speech or inappropriate vocabulary;
ç) adapting and using moderation filters for the Albanian language and national culture.

4. The National Cyber ​​Security Authority (NKSA), in cooperation with regulatory bodies in the field, shall take the necessary measures to implement the interruption of access specified in point 1 of this decision.

5. Once the necessary filters are implemented by the online platform "TikTok", new measures may be imposed or existing measures may be reviewed.

6. The Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the National Cyber ​​Security Authority, the National Information Society Agency and the sectoral regulatory authorities are responsible for the implementation of this decision.

This decision enters into force upon publication in the "Official Gazette".

PRIME MINISTER EDI RAMA

In the absence and by order DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER BELINDA BALLUKU


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