NAIROBI, Kenya- Instagram has been inaccessible in Turkey since Friday morning, sparking significant concern and confusion.
According to Netblocks, an organization specializing in tracking internet and social media disruptions, the popular platform has been restricted across the country.
The block seems to be linked to disputes over the platform’s handling of Hamas-related content.
While Turkish regulators have not explicitly stated the reason behind the Instagram blockade, the timing and context suggest a connection to recent events.
As reported by Bloomberg, the restriction appears to involve posts related to Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader killed earlier this week.
Fahrettin Altun, Turkey’s head of communications, claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that Instagram was preventing users from posting messages of condolence for Haniyeh, fueling speculation about the motives behind the block.
As of now, Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has not issued a public comment regarding the situation.
This move by Turkish authorities is not an isolated incident. Turkey has previously restricted access to major social media platforms, often in response to political and social issues.
For instance, Twitter faced a temporary block last year following a catastrophic earthquake, and both YouTube and Twitter experienced similar restrictions in 2014.
This latest development highlights the ongoing tension between social media platforms and national regulations.
Turkey’s decision to block Instagram highlights the complex interplay between digital freedom and governmental control.
As debates over content management and national interests continue, the global community will be watching closely to see how these issues impact digital freedom and platform policies worldwide.
