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Albania Implements Year-Long Ban on TikTok Over Youth Violence Concerns

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Albania has begun blocking access to TikTok, a move that took effect on Thursday, amid growing concerns that the popular app is contributing to youth violence, both inside and outside of schools. This decision follows the tragic death of a 14-year-old boy, who was fatally stabbed by a fellow student after an argument fueled by social media, which prompted the government to take action.

Albania’s ban is part of a wider trend, as at least 20 countries have imposed partial or complete bans on TikTok due to concerns about the content shared on the platform and its ties to ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns the app, amid broader security and privacy concerns.

Many Albanian users have reported issues accessing TikTok, particularly via web browsers. One user, Ermal Hoxha, 28, from Tirana, noted, “I can see that TikTok is no longer accessible on the web but the app is still working, for now.” Similar reports have surfaced, with the Albanian government confirming that the ban will soon extend to the app itself. Albania’s National Authority for Cybersecurity (AKSK) has instructed internet providers to ensure that TikTok is fully turned off by Thursday.

The decision to ban TikTok came after a December 2024 incident in which a teenager was killed following online arguments that allegedly involved videos posted on social media. TikTok responded by requesting clarification from the Albanian government, citing their investigation, which indicated that the videos leading to the tragic event had been posted on another platform.

However, Isa Myzyraj, head of the Association of Journalists in Albania (AJA), criticized the move, calling it a violation of freedom of expression and likening it to censorship. He expressed concerns that this could set a dangerous precedent, leading to the potential shutdown of other social networks or even a complete internet ban. The AJA plans to take the case to Albania’s Constitutional Court.

Meanwhile, opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, have accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of using the TikTok ban to silence dissent and criticisms, especially as the government has been accused of consolidating control over mainstream media. Rama, however, defended the decision, claiming that TikTok often showcased harmful content outside of China, describing it as featuring “only scum and scoundrels.”

A protest has been called by the Democratic Party in Tirana for Saturday, to oppose the government’s decision and to stand against the ban.

Brazil Challenges Meta’s Hate Speech Policy Changes as Non-Compliant with Local Law

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Brazil’s government expressed “serious concern” on Tuesday over Meta Platforms’ recent changes to its hate speech policy, stating that the modifications do not align with the country’s legal framework. The announcement comes after Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, reduced restrictions on discussions surrounding sensitive issues such as immigration and gender identity and ended its fact-checking program in the United States.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had previously criticized Meta’s policy adjustments, calling them “extremely serious.” The Brazilian government has now demanded clarification from the social media giant on its plans. Facebook remains highly influential in Brazil, with approximately 100 million active users, making it one of Meta’s largest markets.

The government did not specify which aspects of Meta’s new policy might violate Brazilian law but warned that the changes could “create fertile ground” for legal breaches, particularly those protecting fundamental rights. Brazil’s legislation prohibits hate speech, including racial slurs and attacks on religious beliefs.

In response, Meta clarified in a letter to the Brazilian government that the recent changes to its fact-checking program were currently limited to the U.S. The company also stated that updates to its community standards primarily affected hate speech policies and were intended to promote greater freedom of expression.

However, Brazil’s Solicitor General’s Office (AGU) criticized Meta’s response, saying that the changes did not adequately comply with Brazil’s legislation or ensure the protection of citizens’ rights. The AGU emphasized that aspects of Meta’s revised hate speech policy, applicable to Brazil, raised “serious concerns.”

Brazil plans to hold a public hearing this week to discuss the implications of Meta’s policy changes with experts. The case recalls a similar instance last year when the Brazilian Supreme Court suspended X’s (formerly Twitter) operations for over a month due to non-compliance with court orders related to hate speech moderation. X’s owner, Elon Musk, initially condemned the court’s actions as censorship but ultimately complied with demands to reinstate operations in the country.

Brazil’s move highlights its commitment to regulating social media platforms and enforcing local laws to protect citizens from harmful content.