Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who previously announced a year-long ban on TikTok, suggested that the decision could be reconsidered after discussions with the platform’s European representatives, according to bne IntelliNews.
Earlier, Rama called TikTok a harmful influence, promising to “chase this thug out of our neighbourhood.” However, after meeting with Christine Grahn, TikTok’s senior European representative, he hailed their talks as “open and constructive.”
Rama and Grahn discussed the issues surrounding the temporary suspension and agreed on steps to co-operate in the coming months. However, he warned that if no progress was made, Albania would maintain the ban.
The ban followed a violent incident in Tirana where a 14-year-old student was killed, with another injured, in a brawl linked to an online dispute. The tragedy sparked a debate about the role of social media in youth violence and its wider impact on Albanian society.
Rama lambasted TikTok for promoting malicious content outside of China while presenting educational and cultural content within its home country. However, his willingness to engage in the debate marked a shift from his initial refusal to justify the prohibition.
While Albania’s final decision remains unclear, negotiations suggest a possible compromise rather than strict ban enforcement.
