Court in Albania rules TikTok ban unconstitutional
Albania's Constitutional Court deemed the government's 2025 TikTok ban unconstitutional, stating it violated freedom of expression.
Albania's Constitutional Court has ruled that the government's ban on TikTok imposed in 2025 was unconstitutional and represented a violation of freedom of expression. The ban was originally justified by the government following a tragic incident involving the death of a teenager due to online bullying. However, the Court found that the government did not sufficiently assess the implications of such a ban before its implementation.
The decision to lift the TikTok ban came earlier this February, after the platform introduced new safety mechanisms aimed at addressing concerns related to online bullying and user safety. The introduction of these measures was pivotal in the court's assessment, indicating that social media companies are taking steps to mitigate potential harms associated with their platforms. The court emphasized the necessity for careful consideration by the government when enacting legislation that impacts freedom of expression.
The case was brought to the Constitutional Court by two journalist organizations, highlighting the importance of media and public discourse in the country. This ruling not only reinstates access to the platform for Albanians but also reaffirms the principles of free speech and the importance of governmental accountability in making restrictions on digital communications.