Turkey has escalated its digital censorship efforts by blocking major virtual private network (VPN) providers in response to its ongoing ban on Instagram. The Instagram ban, which took effect on August 2, 2024, came shortly after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a key figure in the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The Turkish government claimed that Instagram censored posts mourning Haniyeh, leading to accusations of “digital fascism” from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The situation reflects heightened tensions surrounding digital expression and control.
To further restrict access to banned platforms, Turkey has targeted VPN services, which are often used to bypass such blocks. The Freedom of Expression Association (IFOD) reported that 27 VPN providers, including well-known names like Nord and Surfshark, have been blocked in Turkey. This move is seen as a strategy to prevent Turkish users from accessing Instagram and other censored content through alternative means, intensifying the country’s control over internet freedom.
The ban on Instagram has had significant economic repercussions, with estimates from Dr. Bugra Gokce of the Istanbul Planning Agency indicating a daily loss of approximately 1.9 billion Turkish lira, or around $57 million. The closure of Instagram, which has about 58 million users in Turkey, has not only affected individual users but also imposed a substantial burden on the Turkish economy. The Turkish government’s actions reflect a broader trend of digital control and censorship impacting both citizens and the economy.
Despite discussions between Turkish officials and Meta, Instagram’s parent company, the ban remains in place. The latest measures to block VPN providers represent a more stringent approach to suppressing access to banned content. This escalation underscores the ongoing struggle between digital freedom and government-imposed restrictions, with significant implications for both Turkish users and the broader digital landscape.
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