Ankara: In a significant move, Turkey has banned access to the popular social media platform Instagram. However, the decision has puzzled users, as Turkish authorities have provided no official reason. The ban has raised concerns about censorship and freedom of expression online.
The Reason Behind the Ban
While the Information and Communication Technologies Authority, which oversees internet regulations, did not disclose the specific cause, reports suggest that the ban is linked to Instagram’s removal of posts related to the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. Turkish users expressing condolences for Haniyeh were affected by the platform’s actions.
Strong Criticism and Denouncement
Fahrettin Altun, the presidential communications director and close aide to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, publicly criticized Instagram. Altun accused the Meta-owned platform of preventing Turkish users from posting messages of condolence for Haniyeh. Notably, Turkey does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, unlike its Western allies. President Erdogan has referred to the group as “liberation fighters.”
Social Media as a Platform
The ban has sparked controversy, with Ekrem Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and a member of Turkey’s main opposition party, condemning the decision. He characterized the communications authority’s actions as arbitrary censorship, emphasizing that social media serves various purposes, including commerce and communication.
Turkey’s History of Censorship
Turkey has a track record of censoring social media and websites. Hundreds of thousands of domains have been blocked since 2022, according to the Freedom of Expression Association. Notably, YouTube was previously blocked in the country from 2007 to 2010.
As the nation observes a day of mourning for Ismail Haniyeh, questions remain about the duration of the Instagram ban and its implications for online discourse. With over 50 million users in Turkey, Instagram’s absence will undoubtedly impact communication and expression within the country.
