Turkey’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) has blocked access to Instagram across the country as of August 2, 2024, without providing a clear explanation for the decision. The block was confirmed by multiple sources, including user reports and journalists from AFP.This action follows strong criticism from Fahrettin Altun, the Turkish presidential communications director, who accused Instagram of censoring condolence messages for Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas Political Bureau Chief who was reportedly killed in an attack in Tehran, Iran. Altun stated on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), ‘This is a very clear and obvious attempt at censorship,’ noting that Instagram had not cited any policy violations for its actions.The block affects over 50 million Instagram users in Turkey, out of a total population of 85 million. Users reported being unable to refresh their Instagram feeds, and the mobile app for the platform is also unavailable. The only way to access Instagram in Turkey is now through VPN connections.This is not the first time Turkey has restricted access to social media platforms. Earlier this year, access to X was blocked after protests over delays in earthquake aid, and Wikipedia was blocked between April 2017 and January 2020. According to a report by ‘Free Web Turkey’, at least 219,000 websites were blocked in Turkey in 2023, up from 40,000 in 2022.Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Instagram, has not yet commented on the block or Altun’s statements. The duration of the block and its full implications remain unclear, raising concerns about internet freedom and censorship in Turkey.
Key points
- Turkey has blocked access to Instagram without clear explanation.
- The block follows accusations of censorship related to posts about Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s death.
- Over 50 million Instagram users in Turkey are affected by this block.
- This action raises concerns about internet freedom in Turkey, with a history of similar restrictions on social media platforms.
Contradictions👾While most sources agree that the block is related to the censorship accusations, some reports suggest that the official reason given was ‘national security and the protection of public order’.
