TikTok resumed operations in Albania in February 2026 after a year-long government-imposed ban expired, ending a suspension that had drawn scrutiny over online safety enforcement and allegations of political interference, Reuters reports.

The Albanian government banned the Chinese-owned short video platform following the stabbing death of a 14-year-old boy by a fellow pupil, a crime that local media reports linked to an online clash between the two. TikTok stated at the time that the altercation did not originate on its platform. The ban also took effect weeks before parliamentary elections.

The government of Prime Minister Edi Rama said TikTok had since taken steps to address its concerns, including implementing “important filters for security and language.” 

“With its correct behavior toward our concerns, TikTok confirmed to us the expression that ‘the devil is not as black as it seems,'” the government said in a statement.

Opposition Alleges Election Interference

Opposition parties accused the Rama government of using the ban to suppress political speech ahead of last year’s elections. 

“The shutdown of TikTok was certainly a move by the Rama government to manipulate public opinion,” said Edona Haklaj of the party Shqiperia Behet. The government denied any connection between the ban and elections, stating its “only goal” had been to protect children.

Albania has faced broader political unrest in recent months, with violent protests between police and the main opposition Democratic Party following the indictment of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku for manipulating public tenders. Rama fired Balluku on February 26.

Enforcement Challenges and Industry Implications

Despite the ban, enforcement proved limited. 

Brenton Benja, founder of Geek Room Albania, noted that the measure had minimal impact as users turned to VPNs to maintain access. “The 1.7 million Albanians we knew were using TikTok at the time it was closed continued to use it throughout the year by turning to alternative methods such as VPNs,” Benja said in a statement. 

The government acknowledged in its statement that a full ban had proved “impossible” due to technological hurdles.

Isa Myzyraj, President of the Association of Albanian Journalists, warned that the episode sets a concerning precedent. “Any government could exploit this precedent to block other social networks or even impose a total internet shutdown,” Myzyraj stated.