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The ban on TikTok in Albania sparks a debate on freedom of speech...
Every evening, Ergys Katiaj uploads a video on 'TikTok' reminding customers that his store in Tirana distributes chips, cigarettes and alcohol at night. His phone is buzzing with orders that give him about 1,000 euros in monthly profit.
But Katia will soon have to find a new way to advertise the business. Albania's government has imposed a one-year ban on the social media app, which it says is aimed at reducing youth violence, but which rights groups and business owners say threatens trade and free speech, ahead of elections. May.
" It will have a big impact on my business, because most of the sales are through delivery thanks to the free marketing of TikTok ," Katiaj said while making deliveries around the outskirts of the capital.
Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the ban on December 21 after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed in November by another student, a crime that local media reported happened after the boys clashed online. TikTok is expected to be banned in the coming weeks.
The move follows bans or partial bans in at least 20 countries over concerns about inappropriate videos or security concerns linked to the app's owner, China-based ByteDance, and its closeness to the Chinese government.
In Albania, Rama said the decision came after discussions with parents and teachers, but opponents worry it is part of the prime minister's crackdown on political dissent after a year of popular unrest.
" This creates a dangerous precedent that at any moment governments can close different platforms ", said Orkidea Xhaferaj, from SCiDEV based in Tirana.
TikTok said it was seeking "urgent clarification" from the Albanian government because it says "multiple reports have in fact confirmed that the videos that led to this incident were being posted on another platform, not on TikTok."
Albania saw regular violent protests last year against the jailing of political opponents. Demonstrators threw Molotov cocktails at government buildings and police responded with tear gas.
The leaders of the two largest opposition parties, Sali Berisha of the Democratic Party and Ilir Meta of the Freedom Party, are accused of corruption. They deny the charges, which they say are politically motivated.
Arlind Qori, head of the Lévizja Bashke party, formed in 2022, said the ban on TikTok cuts a powerful opposition communication tool.
" He wants to shut us up ," Qori said from his office, where party supporters sheltered from the cold and discussed their campaign plans.
Rama insists that the measure aims to protect young people. In an alley in the center of Tirana, a photo of the murdered student hangs on an electric pole surrounded by dried flowers and messages from friends.
He was stabbed there and walked to his school bleeding before an ambulance arrived.
" Within China's TikTok, you don't see hooliganism, perversion, violence, bullying, crime ," Rama said when he announced his decision last month. " While on TikTok outside of China only scum and dirt. Why do we need this? ", he added. / Adapted "Pamphlet" from " Reuters "
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