TIRANA, March 15 /ATA/ – Prime Minister Edi Rama said a temporary ban on TikTok in Albania led to concrete steps to improve online safety for children and strengthen safeguards on the social media platform.
Speaking on his Let’s Talk podcast on Sunday, Rama commented on a recent decision by the Constitutional Court of Albania regarding the case, saying that by the time the ruling was issued the issue had already been resolved through dialogue with the company.
According to the prime minister, the government imposed the temporary block following concerns raised by parents and teachers, after which authorities entered into discussions with the platform.
As a result, he said, the company began implementing several new measures for Albanian users, including improved age-verification systems, algorithmic filters and additional controls targeting violent language and harmful content.
Rama noted that the Albanian language had previously not been adequately addressed by the platform’s moderation systems, but the measures introduced after the discussions have helped strengthen safeguards for young users.
He argued that the temporary restriction prompted a constructive dialogue with the company and led to tangible improvements in online protections.
“These companies are larger than many states in terms of capital,” Rama said, adding that even small countries must act when children’s safety is at stake.
Rama also said the government respected the court’s ruling but described it as unnecessary, arguing that the issue had already been addressed through cooperation with the platform.
He added that the move had not been criticised by international institutions, including the European Union, and had been viewed positively in public debates on regulating social media and protecting minors online.
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