Türkiye restores access to Instagram after agreement on crime-related content

Türkiye has restored access to Instagram after the social media platform agreed to comply with the country's demands concerning censorship and content related to crimes.
Instagram users in Türkiye suddenly lost access to the platform on August 2, with no official explanation provided at the time. The restoration of access comes after Instagram agreed to address Türkiye's concerns, particularly around content related to catalog crimes, including murder, sexual assault, drug trafficking, and torture, as well as censorship issues raised by Turkish officials.
Fahrettin Altun, Türkiye’s head of communications, was among the first to post on Instagram after the platform became accessible again. In his post, he expressed condolences for Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader who was recently killed. Altun’s message stated, "On the 10th day of his martyrdom, I remember the martyr Ismail Haniyeh with mercy and gratitude. Our struggle will continue under the leadership of our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan until Palestine is free and those who commit genocide against humanity are held accountable."
The block on Instagram was reportedly related to accusations from Altun that the platform had censored posts expressing condolences for Haniyeh.
Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu cited concerns over content related to serious crimes and the censorship imposed on Instagram users as reasons for the initial block. NetBlocks, a group that monitors internet disruptions, confirmed on Saturday that access to Instagram in Türkiye had started to return.
The agreement between Instagram and Turkish authorities highlights the ongoing tension between social media platforms and governments over content regulation and censorship. (ILKHA)
LEGAL WARNING: All rights of the published news, photos and videos are reserved by İlke Haber Ajansı Basın Yayın San. Trade A.Ş. Under no circumstances can all or part of the news, photos and videos be used without a written contract or subscription.
A large-scale event titled “Gaza Solidarity Day” was organized in the Tatvan district of Türkiye’s eastern Bitlis province to raise awareness about the ongoing humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza under Israeli occupation.
Hundreds gathered in Ankara on Sunday under the leadership of the Ankara Palestine Solidarity Platform (ANFIDAP) for a march titled "Children are Marching for Gaza."
European Orphan Hand (Avrupa Yetim Eli), a globally recognized humanitarian aid organization, has launched its 2025 Eid al-Adha Qurbani initiative, aiming to distribute sacrificial meat to orphans and impoverished families in 30 countries across Africa, Asia, and the Balkans.
HÜDA PAR Chairman Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu participated in a massive demonstration organized by the Prophet's Lovers Foundation in Adana.