Turkey Blocks Instagram Over Content Dispute and Double Standards

The Soon to be Sultan of Turkey can do whatever he wants in his country. No one can stop him.

In an unexpected and forceful move, Turkey’s communications authority has blocked access to Instagram, intensifying its control over internet and social media platforms. Announced on Friday by Turkey’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority, this restriction follows the platform’s removal of posts from Turkish users expressing condolences for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

🚨 Today in Turkey, Instagram has been banned.

As the Mayor of Istanbul, I strongly believe that communication bans do not benefit any society. Limiting access to social media platforms stifles free expression and hinders the flow of information. I urge the authorities to… pic.twitter.com/QqTI3IwuRI

— Ekrem İmamoğlu (International) (@imamoglu_int) August 2, 2024

Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Ömer Fatih Sayan took to social platform X to voice his displeasure, noting that Western countries receive better responses from service providers like Instagram. Sayan demanded equal sensitivity and fairness for Turkey, accusing the platform of double standards.

“We insist on the same safe, clean, and fair content mechanisms that these platforms offer to compliant countries,” Sayan declared. “The global double standard by these providers is a shared concern.”

#Instagram suddenly blocked in #Turkey after a Turkish communication official criticized #Meta for allegedly censoring condolence post, after the assassination of #Hamas Leader #IsmailHaniyeh.8#FreePalestine @TheNationalNews pic.twitter.com/VMnzfansBR

— Dyor (@Powerfulmindx) August 3, 2024

Abdulkadir Uraloglu, the minister of transportation and infrastructure, criticized Instagram for disregarding Turkish societal norms and breaching laws related to incitement, torture, and obscenity. Uraloglu stressed that Turkey would continue to enforce necessary measures until Instagram complies with their regulations and sensitivities. He noted ongoing communication with Instagram’s representative in Turkey and mentioned that the ban would be lifted once compliance is ensured.

BREAKING:

Turkey blocks Instagram for removing content on Ismail Haniyeh. pic.twitter.com/kqdUdZKsUe

— Globe Eye News (@GlobeEyeNews) August 2, 2024

This ban impacts over 50 million Instagram users in Turkey, highlighting the platform’s widespread usage. The restriction follows the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, where he was present for the new president’s inauguration. Unlike many other nations, Turkey does not consider Hamas a terrorist organization and is observing a day of mourning for Haniyeh.

Major Points

• Turkey’s communications authority blocked Instagram following the removal of posts about Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s death.
• Deputy Minister Ömer Fatih Sayan criticized Instagram for double standards and demanded equal treatment for Turkey.
• Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu accused Instagram of ignoring Turkish laws on incitement, torture, and obscenity.
• The ban affects over 50 million users in Turkey, pending Instagram’s compliance with local regulations.
• Turkey is mourning Haniyeh’s death, diverging from many countries that classify Hamas as a terrorist organization.

Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News