In a recent development, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has criticized social media platforms, labeling their actions as 'digital fascism.' Erdogan's remarks were made in response to the alleged censorship of photographs depicting Palestinian 'martyrs' by these platforms.
The Turkish government took action against Instagram on August 2, blocking access to the platform without providing a specific reason. Officials cited Instagram's failure to comply with Turkish regulations as the basis for the ban.
Reports suggest that the ban may have been triggered by Instagram's removal of posts from Turkish users expressing condolences for the death of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. This incident is part of a broader pattern of internet censorship in Turkey, where social media and online platforms are frequently targeted.
Erdogan, known for his criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, has characterized Hamas as a liberation movement rather than a terrorist organization, in contrast to many Western nations.
The President accused social media companies of allowing propaganda from groups considered terrorists in Turkey to circulate freely on their platforms. Despite attempts to engage in dialogue with these companies, Erdogan expressed frustration at the lack of cooperation.
Government officials, including the transportation and infrastructure minister, have held discussions with representatives of Meta-owned Instagram to address the situation. Instagram boasts over 57 million users in Turkey, making it a significant platform for e-commerce activities in the country.
According to estimates from the Electronic Commerce Operators' Association, social media platforms like Instagram contribute approximately 930 million Turkish lira ($27 million) to the Turkish economy through e-commerce transactions on a daily basis.
