Turkiye lifts 9-day long Instagram ban, restoring access

Turkiye announced on Saturday that it restored access to the social media platform Instagram, saying that officials had agreed the company would work with authorities to address the government's concerns.

Turkiye blocked access to the social media platform early August 2, citing an inability to comply with the "laws and rules" of the land and the sensitivities of the public.

A senior Turkish official on Saturday accused Instagram of blocking condolence posts over the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Turkiye has condemned Israel's Gaza attacks, demanded an immediate ceasefire, and blasted what it terms unconditional support for Israel by the West.

The nine-day ban triggered protests from users and small businesses who reach their customers through the platform.

Turkiye ranks fifth in the world in terms of Instagram usage, with more than 57 million users, following India, the United States, Brazil, and Indonesia, according to data platform Statista.

"As a result of our negotiations with Instagram officials, we will lift the access block...after they promised to work together to meet our demands regarding catalogue crimes and censorship imposed on users," Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu wrote in an X post.

Catalogue crimes include murder, sexual assault, drug trafficking, abuse, and torture, according to Turkish law.

"Significant gains have been achieved in increasing security in the digital environment in Turkiye, legal compliance, protection of user rights and the development of a fair inspection mechanism," Uraloglu said.

Instagram's parent, Meta, had agreed to comply with Turkish law and ensure efficient removal of posts and content if they carry elements of certain crimes or "terrorism propaganda", Uraloglu said.

Instagram did not immediately respond to a Reuters request seeking comment.

"Live metrics show Instagram is being restored across Turkiye's main internet providers after national restriction spanning nine days. This is the country's longest ban of a major social media platform in recent years," Internet monitor NetBlocks said.