ISTANBUL, Turkey – Turkey has blocked access to Instagram, according to an announcement from the country’s Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) on Friday.
The decision follows criticism from Turkish communications official Fahrettin Altun, who condemned Instagram for blocking condolence posts related to the death of Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent Hamas leader. Altun accused Instagram of “censorship” and noted that the platform had not provided any justification for the action.
Meta Platforms Inc., Instagram’s parent company, has yet to respond to the development.
Here are the key points:
- Access Blocked: Turkey has blocked access to Instagram following a dispute over condolence posts.
- Criticism from Turkish Officials: Fahrettin Altun, a Turkish communications official, criticized Instagram for removing posts related to the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, accusing the platform of censorship without citing policy violations.
- Regulatory Announcement: The Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) of Turkey announced the block on its website.
- Meta’s Response: Meta Platforms Inc., Instagram’s parent company, has not yet commented on the situation.
Biden Addresses Ismail Haniyeh’s Death
In response to the situation, President Joe Biden expressed concern, stating, “I’m very concerned about it. I had a very direct meeting with Prime Minister [Netanyahu] today. We have the basis for a ceasefire. He should move on it, and they should move on it now. It’s not helped.”
