Tok ban: 81% of Albanians support government move

Tirana, December 26, 2024 - A majority of Albanians have backed the government’s decision to ban TikTok, according to a new survey. The poll, conducted by Report TV and pollster Eduard Zaloshnja, found 81% in favour of the ban, citing concerns over privacy, mental health, and security.

Support for the ban was strong both at home and abroad. Among Albanians living in the country, 80.5% agreed with the government’s decision, while 12.7% opposed it and 6.8% were unsure. For Albanians residing abroad, the numbers were even higher, with 82% in favour, 11.6% against, and 6.4% undecided.

TikTok, owned by Chinese tech giant ByteDance, has faced mounting scrutiny worldwide. Governments in the US, UK, and EU have imposed restrictions on the app over fears it could expose sensitive data to Beijing.

Albanian officials have yet to outline how the ban will be enforced, but they argue the platform poses risks to public safety and well-being. Critics, however, warn that banning TikTok could limit free speech and cut younger users off from a key source of entertainment and information.