Turkey blocks access to Instagram without stating reason

Turkey has blocked access to the social media platform Instagram, the country'snational communications authority said on Friday (Aug 2). The government blocked Instagramwithout stating a reason. It is also not yet known the duration for which the ban would last, a report by the news agency Reuters said.

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The block came two days afterTurkish communications official Fahrettin Altun criticised Instagramfor what he called its decision to block condolence posts on the killing of Hamas leaderIsmail Haniyeh.

'This is censorship...'

In a post on X, Atlun hit out at Instagram forblocking the condolence posts by saying, "This is censorship, pure and simple." He added, "We will continue to defend freedom of expression against these platforms, which have repeatedly shown that they serve the global system of exploitation and injustice".

“We will stand by our Palestinian brothers at every opportunity and on every platform,” the top Turkish official said.

There was no immediate comment from Instagram parent Meta Platforms Inc. on either the ban or Altun's comments.

Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, was killed in Tehranon Wednesday (July 31).

Over 50 mn useInstagram in Turkey

Citing Turkish media, a report by Al Jazeera on Friday said that more than 50 million people in Turkey use Instagram. Several users in the country took to X to complain about being unable to refresh their Instagram feed.

Yaman Akdeniz, a Turkish digital law expert, said on X, "Access to Instagram was blocked (…) around 3:00 AM this morning following an administrative order. The decision was made either by the presidency or a ministry. The BTK must have its decision approved by a judge."

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“The censorship imposed on Instagram is arbitrary and can never have any explanation or justification. No judge should approve such a request,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)