Access to Instagram was blocked in Turkey on Friday. This is part of a trend of the government cracking down on websites in the country. The reason for the ban was Instagram removing posts from Turkish users who were expressing condolences over the killing of Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh.
The Information and Communication Technologies Authority, which oversees the internet in Turkey, announced the block but did not give a specific reason for it. This move came shortly after an aide to Turkey’s president criticized Meta-owned Instagram for stopping users in Turkey from posting messages mourning Haniyeh.
Instagram has not yet commented on the situation. The social media platform has over 50 million users in Turkey, a country with a population of 85 million. It’s important to note that Turkey does not view Hamas as a terrorist organization like its Western allies do. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has referred to the group as “liberation fighters” due to his criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
In honor of Haniyeh, Turkey is observing a day of mourning with flags flown at half-mast. The recent assassinations of Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr have heightened tensions in the Middle East, especially with the ongoing conflict in Gaza causing significant casualties.
Turkey has a history of censoring social media and websites. Since 2022, hundreds of thousands of domains have been blocked in the country, according to the Freedom of Expression Association. Additionally, YouTube was blocked in Turkey from 2007 to 2010.
The blocking of Instagram in Turkey is a concerning development, as it restricts freedom of expression and access to information for Turkish citizens. It raises questions about the government’s control over online platforms and its willingness to silence dissenting voices. This move also highlights the complex political dynamics in the region, especially regarding Turkey’s stance on Hamas and its relationship with social media companies.