On August 2, 2024, the fate of Instagram, which was blocked in Turkey, is eagerly awaited. Officials of the platform, which was blocked due to non-compliance with Turkey’s sensitivities and ignoring catalog crimes despite warnings, held a critical meeting with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure today.

Turkey’s sensitivities fully understood by Instagram officials

According to the first information after the meeting, which started at 13:00, it is claimed that the talks were positive and Turkey’s sensitivities were understood by Instagram officials. Some sources suggested that the access block on Instagram could be lifted after the cabinet meeting.

Instagram said in a statement following the access block, “The blocking of access to Instagram in Turkey has left millions of people without a way to communicate with family and friends on a daily basis, and businesses unable to reach their customers. We will continue to do everything we can to make our services available again.”

Why was Instagram access blocked?

The Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure and Ministers had explained the reason for blocking access to Instagram in Turkey as the platform’s failure to comply with Turkey’s sensitivities and ignoring catalog crimes despite warnings. After the negotiations remained unresolved for a while, the access blocking decision was taken.

In a statement made by Dr. Ömer Fatih Sayan, Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, the following was said:

“When it comes to Western countries, we see that social media platforms quickly take measures on many issues, especially catalog crimes. We have been demanding the same sensitivity and fair stance from the beginning. We want these platforms to provide the same safe, clean and fair content mechanism in Turkey as they do in countries where they abide by the rules.

This double standard applied by providers is a common problem for the whole world. Let’s remember; we asked them to open representative offices in our country and prevent violations of our people’s rights. They did not want to come. They did not take the necessary steps against the crimes reported to them.

We said let’s build a cleaner internet together, let our nation find an interlocutor, they did token work with some virtual offices. With the law amendments we made, we prevented all these backstabbing. We see that they are still trying to maintain the same understanding.

They say, “I read what I know, I publish what I want, I don’t publish what I want”. We did not and will not accept this. We will do whatever it takes to establish a cleaner and safer social media that respects our values and is free of disinformation.”