Turkey’s communications authority has blocked access to the social media platform, Instagram. The Information and Communication Technologies Authority, which regulates the internet, did not provide a reason for the move on Friday.

Turkey’s communications authority blocked access to the social media platform Instagram on Friday, the latest instance of a clampdown on websites in the country.

The Information and Communication Technologies Authority, which regulates the internet, announced the decision early Friday but did not provide a reason.

Yeni Safak newspaper, which is close to the government, and other media said access was blocked in response to Instagram removing posts by Turkish users that expressed condolences over the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.

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Unlike its Western allies, Turkey does not consider Hamas to be a terror organization. A strong critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Erdogan has described the group as “liberation fighters.”

  • steventhedev@lemmy.worldEnglish
    116·
    5 months ago

    Haniyeh earned his Specially Designated Global Terrorist title on January 31, 2018. A company caught hosting terrorism-promoting content can face company-ending consequences. Executives have been sent to prison for turning a blind eye to doing business with sanctioned countries. Instagram was probably complying with these regulations.

    Punishing Instagram for complying with the law puts Turkey into a precarious position. It’s an open secret that they offer cheap rubber, steel, and other raw materials because they’re willing to lie on forms and act as a conduit for Russia and Iran to bypass sanctions. Too much attention on sanctions programs and Turkey in the same sentence can potentially end that part of their economy, which they can’t really afford right now.

    • istanbullu@lemmy.mlEnglish
      14·
      5 months ago

      If Instagram wants to make money in Turkey, it needs to comply with Turkish law. Which means Instagram can’t censor content to support Nethenyahu’s genocide.

      • steventhedev@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        5 months ago

        I’m extremely unfamiliar with Turkish law. Is there an anti-censorship law like this? I would imagine it requires various carveouts for liability in case of actual law-breaking content, libel, etc.

        My assumption that this was simple corruption where a private company compelled the government to take actions for their immediate benefit.

    • psycocan@lemmy.mlEnglish
      712·
      5 months ago

      Hamas are fighters for the freedom of their land. Children murderers and genocide enablers are the real terrorists.

  • Optional@lemmy.worldEnglish
    3·
    5 months ago

    Fine. “ . . . access was blocked in response to Instagram removing posts by Turkish users . . “ Sure, yes, I said - Fine.

    At this point, I am 100% on board with whatever we have to do to kill faceplant or the Instapot or whatever they are. Government decree, guerrilla action, meteor-from-space, snatching the phone out of grandma’s hands: whatever. Do it.

  • Media Bias Fact Checker@lemmy.worldBEnglish
    25·
    5 months ago
    Associated Press Media Bias Fact Check Credibility: [High] (Click to view Full Report)

    Name: Associated Press Bias: Left-Center
    Factual Reporting: High
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