In a decisive reaction to a violent attack on Turkey’s TUSAS, the nation’s largest defense aerospace company, the Turkish government has enacted a sweeping ban on access to multiple social media platforms, including X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. The attack, which occurred on October 23, 2024, involved two assailants who killed five people and injured 22 others in a shooting spree at the facility located in Ankara. The facility is owned by the government and operated by the Turkish Armed Forces, making it a strategic target in an increasingly volatile security environment.
Immediately following the attack, authorities imposed a broadcast ban alongside the restrictions on social media to control the flow of information and maintain order amid rising tensions. According to NetBlocks, an internet monitoring group, access to these platforms was curtailed almost instantaneously after the incident. The government’s history of blocking social media in response to crises has raised concerns about censorship and the limitation of freedom of expression in Turkey. The country currently has around 57 million social media users, highlighting the significant impact of such measures on public discourse.
This latest incident follows a pattern of government crackdowns on social media following violent events. In August, access to Instagram was blocked for nine days due to the removal of posts related to the assassination of a key Hamas leader, reflecting the government’s sensitivity to online narratives. Moreover, in November 2022, a bombing in Istanbul led to similar restrictions, showcasing the government’s approach to using internet controls as a means of managing public reaction and sentiment.
The TUSAS attack is believed to be terror-related and is thought to involve the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), an organization designated as a terrorist group by Turkey and several other countries. President Tayyip Erdogan, along with leaders from the US, EU, NATO, and Russia, condemned the attack, underscoring the widespread concern over security threats in the region. As Turkey grapples with internal security challenges, the government’s measures to restrict social media access raise critical questions about the balance between national security and the protection of individual freedoms in the digital age.
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