Turkey Blocks Instagram Over Condolence Post Controversy

Turkey has blocked access to Instagram following backlash over the platform's removal of condolence posts regarding Ismail Haniyeh's death. Turkish communications official Fahrettin Altun criticized Instagram for censorship. The Information Technologies and Communication Authority published the decision on August 2.

Turkey has blocked access to social media platform Instagram, the infotech regulator said on Friday, without stating a reason or duration for the ban, which also left the platform's mobile app inaccessible.

The move follows comments on Wednesday by Turkish communications official Fahrettin Altun, criticizing the platform for its decision to block condolence posts on the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, a key official of Palestinian militant group Hamas.

'This is censorship, pure and simple,' Altun, the communications director of the Turkish presidency, said on X, adding that Instagram had not cited any policy violations for its action. There was no immediate comment from Instagram parent Meta Platforms Inc on either the ban or Altun's comments. Turkey's Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) published the August 2 decision on its website.

(With inputs from agencies.)