Turkey has blocked access to Instagram, with officials citing no clear reason. The move follows criticism of the platform for allegedly censoring posts on Ismail Haniyeh's death. The country's Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) announced the ban on Friday, providing no specific reason for the action or an estimated duration. Both the website and the mobile application for Instagram are currently inaccessible in Turkey.
According to a statement on the BTK's website, the ban was enacted following a decision dated 02/08/2024, with reference number 490.05.01.2024.-608983. The abrupt decision has left many users and observers puzzled, as no official explanation has been provided.
Background and Possible Motivations
The ban follows public criticism by Fahrettin Altun, Turkey's Head of Communication, who condemned Instagram for allegedly blocking posts expressing condolences for the death of Ismail Haniyeh, the political bureau chief of Hamas. Haniyeh was killed in a predawn airstrike in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday. The incident was attributed to Israel by Hamas, which declared Haniyeh a "martyr."
In a statement, Altun criticized Instagram, stating, "No matter how many Palestinians Israel kills, the just cause of Palestine will not be erased from history. The state of Israel will also go down in history as the perpetrator of extrajudicial killings, assassinations, occupation, and genocide." He further accused the platform of censorship, adding, "I also strongly condemn the social media platform Instagram, which prevented people from publishing condolence messages for Haniyeh's martyrdom without any justification."
Current Situation and Reactions
As of now, there has been no official comment from Instagram or its parent company, Meta. The Turkish government has also not provided further details regarding the rationale behind the ban or how long it will remain in effect. The sudden restriction has sparked discussions about freedom of expression and censorship in Turkey, a country known for its stringent control over media and communication channels.
Euronews and other media outlets have reached out to Turkish authorities for clarification, but no response has been given at this time. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are anticipated as more information becomes available.
Implications and Next Steps
The ban on Instagram raises significant concerns about the regulation of social media platforms and the limits of free expression in Turkey. As the situation evolves, international observers and human rights organizations will likely scrutinize the Turkish government's actions. The incident also highlights the broader issue of digital censorship and the power dynamics between governments and global tech companies.
For now, Turkish users and international followers of the story are left to speculate on the reasons behind the ban and its potential consequences. Further updates will depend on responses from both Turkish authorities and Instagram.
Source: Euronews
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