Turkey’s communications authority blocked access to Instagram on Friday, another example of Ankara tightening its control over certain websites and social media.
Turkey’s internet regulator, the Communications and Information Technology Authority, said on Friday it had restricted access to the site, the Associated Press reported.
According to the Associated Press, local media reported that the Instagram block came as part of a response to the site removing posts by Turkish users who had expressed condolences over the recent killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Posted by Omer Fatih Sayan, Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Social Platform X Turkey said it had received better treatment from service providers like Instagram when it had problems and wanted “the same care and fairness”.
“We hope that the safe, clean and fair content mechanisms that these platforms offer in rule-abiding countries will also be valid in Turkey,” he said. “This double standard applied by providers is a common problem around the world.”
According to the Associated Press, Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Ularoglu, said Instagram was ignoring “sensitive issues” and violating serious crimes including incitement to suicide, torture and obscenity.
“When they do not comply with the law and regulations and do not take into account our social sensitivities, we are obliged to make necessary interventions,” he said.
He said the ban would be lifted if Instagram met its requirements and that he was in contact with the site’s representatives in Turkey.
The Associated Press noted that Turkey has more than 50 million Instagram users.
Hamas political leader Haniyeh was killed in Iran earlier this week. He was one of the group’s top leaders who was in Tehran for the inauguration of the new president.
Turkey is marking a day of mourning for the Hamas leader, and unlike other countries, Turkey has not designated Hamas a terrorist organization, the Associated Press reported.
The Hill has reached out to Instagram for comment.
The Associated Press contributed.
