Turkey Restricts Instagram Access Over Legal Non-Compliance

ANKARA, Aug 2 - Turkey has blocked access to Instagram, citing the platform's failure to adhere to national laws and regulations, according to a government minister. The decision follows accusations from a senior Turkish official that Instagram blocked condolence posts after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the Palestinian group Hamas.

"We issued warnings to Instagram regarding certain violations. We expect compliance with our legal standards and public sensitivities," stated Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu. "We are in communication with them. Our requirements are clear, and once they address these issues, the ban will be lifted. This country operates under laws and regulations," Uraloglu added, without specifying the exact violations.

The restriction on Instagram was enforced following a court order on Friday, as reported by internet observatory NetBlocks. Turkish communications official Fahrettin Altun criticized Instagram for what he described as censorship after the platform blocked condolence posts for Haniyeh. "This is outright censorship," Altun, the communications director for the Turkish presidency, commented on X.

Instagram's parent company, Meta Platforms Inc., has not yet responded to the ban or Altun's remarks. The decision by Turkey's Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) was published on August 2.