Turkey Blocks Instagram Over Controversial Condolence Posts

Turkey has blocked access to the social media platform Instagram, with no reason or duration provided for the decision. The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) confirmed the blockage, which also rendered the mobile app inaccessible. This move follows criticism from Fahrettin Altun, Turkey's Presidential Communications Director, who accused Instagram of censorship for blocking condolence posts related to the killing of Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh. Altun claimed that the platform had not cited any policy violations for its action.

There has been no immediate comment from Instagram's parent company, Meta Platforms Inc., regarding the ban or the allegations made by Altun. The incident has sparked discussions about potential censorship and the broader implications for social media freedom in Turkey.