After more than a year of ban, the Council of Ministers approved the decision to officially restore the use of the Tik Tok online platform, although citizens began to have full access about 3 months after the decision to close it.
The decision to temporarily close TikTok was taken by the Council of Ministers on March 6, 2025, with the aim of protecting children and young people from harmful content that incites violence and bullying.
But, since June, without fanfare or fuss, TikTok has been free to access by users in Albania.
Even during the period when TikTok was unavailable, from March to June, many users still accessed the platform via virtual private networks (VPNs).
In today's decision, the Council of Ministers explained that this lifting of the ban comes after addressing issues in the field of public and social security in the digital environment. The National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) will be responsible for implementing this decision, while also respecting the legislation on the protection of personal data.
This decision also repeals decision no. 151 of March 6, 2025, which had imposed measures to interrupt access to TikTok, thus restoring the free use of this platform for Albanian citizens.
"The lifting of temporary measures to interrupt access to the TikTok online platform is the result of an institutional reassessment and the concrete addressing of concerns related to public, social and digital safety, especially for children and young people."
The measure approved by the Council of Ministers in March 2025 was conceived and implemented as a preventive intervention, in order to protect the public interest and address the concerns identified during that period. It also served to open a direct and constructive dialogue with the platform, laying the foundations for new security mechanisms that were not previously present.
Today, Albanian authorities are partnering with TikTok representatives for protective keyword filters, content controls, and more efficient reporting and handling of violations.
This decision marks the transition from restrictive measures to a phase of active monitoring, inter-institutional cooperation, and shared responsibility with digital platforms.
In parallel, work is underway to draft a proper communication and awareness plan, focused on children, youth, parents and teachers, for the safe and responsible use of online platforms. The goal is clear and oriented towards digital education, real protection and building a culture of security in the online space.
"This balanced approach aims to guarantee freedom of access, while simultaneously placing the interest of the safety and well-being of young people at the center of public policies," the Council of Ministers' clarification states./Monitor.al/
