Finance
Albania's highest court says one-year ban of TikTok was unconstitutional
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 11, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 11, 2026
Quick Summary
Albania’s Constitutional Court ruled on March 11, 2026, that the year‑long TikTok ban—imposed in March 2025 and lifted February 5, 2026—was unconstitutional, violating freedoms of speech, press, and expression.
Albania’s Top Court Overturns Government Ban on TikTok, Citing Rights
Constitutional Court Decision and Its Implications
Background of the TikTok Ban in Albania
TIRANA, March 11 (Reuters) - Albania's Constitutional Court ruled on Wednesday that the government's one-year ban of TikTok, which expired last month, was unconstitutional and violated freedom of speech.
The ban, imposed last year and initially linked to the death of a teenage boy after bullying online, saw Chinese-owned short video platform TikTok banned for all users in the country. At the time TikTok said the clash did not originate on their platform.
Expiration and Government Response
The ban expired on February 5, 2026, and the government cited new "safety mechanisms" implemented by TikTok.
Court Ruling Details
Assessment of Government Actions
In its ruling on Wednesday, the Constitutional Court said the government had not sufficiently examined the repercussions of implementing a ban and had not "convincingly proven that a general blocking of the platform constitutes the only effective and necessary means to achieve the intended objective."
Violation of Rights
It also said that the ban violated freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
Reactions and Political Context
Legal Challenge
The ruling was issued in response to a motion filed by the Association of Journalists of Albania (AGSH) and Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) last March.
Political Accusations
Opposition parties accused the government of trying to silence them by banning the platform weeks before parliamentary elections last year, which the government denies.
(Reporting by Florian Goga and Fatos Bytyci; Writing by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
Key Takeaways
- •The one‑year TikTok ban (March 2025–Feb 2026) was declared unconstitutional by Albania’s highest court on March 11, 2026.
- •Court found the government failed to prove that a general ban was the only effective means to achieve safety goals, violating freedom of expression and press.
- •Ban was lifted in early February 2026 after government cited new safety mechanisms; critics had alleged political motives ahead of May 2025 elections.
Frequently Asked Questions about Albania's highest court says one-year ban of TikTok was unconstitutional
1Why did Albania ban TikTok for one year?
The Albanian government banned TikTok following the death of a teenage boy after bullying online, citing safety concerns.
2What did Albania's Constitutional Court decide about the TikTok ban?
The court ruled the ban unconstitutional, stating it violated freedom of speech and the press.
3When did the TikTok ban in Albania expire?
The ban expired on February 5, 2026.
4Who challenged the TikTok ban in Albania?
The ban was challenged by the Association of Journalists of Albania (AGSH) and Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN).
5Did the Albanian government implement reforms after the TikTok ban?
Yes, the government cited new safety mechanisms implemented by TikTok when the ban expired.
