Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Instagram Remains Blocked in Turkey, As Erdogan Accuses Social Media Coys of ‘Digital Fascism’

POSTED ON August 6, 2024 •   Technology      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara •   VIEWS 91
Phone showing Instagram logo l Credit: EPA

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused social media platforms of “digital fascism” on Monday for allegedly censoring photographs of Palestinian “martyrs.”

The Turkish leader’s comments came as Turkish officials engaged in discussions with representatives of the social media platform, Instagram, to reinstate access to millions of its users in Türkiye.

The Information and Communication Technologies Authority barred access to Instagram on August 2 without providing a reason. Government officials said the ban was imposed because Instagram failed to abide by Turkish regulations.

Several media reports said, however, that the action was in response to Instagram removing posts by Turkish users that expressed condolences over the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. 

It was the latest instance of a clampdown on websites in the country which has a track record of censoring social media and other online platforms.

“They cannot even tolerate photographs of Palestinian martyrs and immediately ban them,” Erdogan said at a human rights event. “We are confronted with a digital fascism that is disguised as freedom."

Unlike its Western allies, Türkiye does not consider Hamas a terror organisation. A strong critic of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Erdogan has described the group as a liberation movement
Erdogan went on to state that social media websites were allegedly allowing all kinds of propaganda by groups considered terrorists in Türkiye.

“We have tried to establish a line of dialogue through our relevant institutions. However, we have not yet been able to achieve the desired cooperation,” Erdogan said.

The transportation and infrastructure minister, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, said Turkish authorities had met with representatives of the Meta-owned company last week and were holding a fresh round of talks on Monday.

Instagram has more than 57 million users in Türkiye, a nation of 85 million people, according to report.

The Electronic Commerce Operators’ Association estimates that Instagram and other social media platforms per day generate about 930 million Turkish lira ($27 million) worth of e-commerce.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Nigeria need technocrats to revamp economy, says Obasanjo
BY Benedicta Bassey October 31, 2024 0

There are many technocrats in Nigeria that can be called upon to improve and revamp the economy, for...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Global stock markets rebounce as investors await tech giants' earnings
BY Benedicta Bassey October 29, 2024 0

Major global stock market on Tuesday gained ground as investors await earnings of tech giants and US...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Informal sector accounts for 76.7% of Nigeria's workforce — Report
BY Benedicta Bassey October 29, 2024 0

A new study has shown that the informal sector accounts for 76.7 per cent of Nigeria's workforce. T...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
MTN CEO, Ralph Mupita elected to GSMA Board
BY Benedicta Bassey October 29, 2024 0

Ralph Mupita, the President and Chief Executive Officer, MTN Group has been elected to the GSM Assoc...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Google, industry players reiterate commitment to back Nigeria's digital economy
BY Benedicta Bassey October 29, 2024 0

Google alongside some industry key players have reiterated their commitments to back Nigeria's digit...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
3.45bn people still lack mobile network - Report
BY Benedicta Bassey October 29, 2024 0

A new report by the industry body GSM Association stated that about 43 per cent of the world's popul...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
FG partners Switzerland on tech innovations
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara October 26, 2024 0

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has established a strategic p...

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
NITDA seeks investment in training professionals
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara October 25, 2024 0

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has called on the public and private...

OUR CHANNELS:

OTHER ARTICLES ::

6th November, 2024
Economic Showdown: Atiku's Critique vs. Tinubu's Policies A Leadership Divide
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff November 5, 2024 0

In a recent exchange highlighting the growing tensions in Nigeria's political landscape, former Vice...


Indianapolis Woman Dies in I-65 Accident Near Columbus After Return from Kentucky Event
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff November 5, 2024 0

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A tragic accident claimed the life of Indianapolis resident Omotope G. Oyedir...


Adriano's Decline: From Football Glory to Favela Streets
BY ROCKETPARROT.com staff November 5, 2024 0

Health concerns arise as a recent video surfaces showing Adriano, the former Inter Milan and Brazil...


Proposed tax reform bills not against North, says Presidency
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 5, 2024 0

The Presidency has said contrary to job loss fears and perceived marginalisation of the North, the t...


Kaduna approves N72,000 minimum wage
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 5, 2024 0

The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has approved a new minimum wage of N72,000 for civil servants i...


Man Utd seal deal with Amorim as new manager — Report
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara November 5, 2024 0

Manchester United has finalised an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to appoint 39-year-old Ruben Amori...


Nile Group collaborates with Ooni of Ife to manage his theaters
BY Ebiakuboere England November 5, 2024 0

His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, and Nile Cinemas have inked a historic management contract fo...


Bruno Mars tops Spotify monthly listeners record
BY Ebiakuboere England November 5, 2024 0

Grammy-winning singer Bruno Mars has broken the previous record with 120,862,858 monthly Spotify lis...


South Africa to strip Chidimma Adetshina of ID documents
BY Ebiakuboere England November 5, 2024 0

Nigerian-South African Model Chidimma Adetshina faces the possibility of losing her national documen...


Senate confirms seven ministerial nominees
BY Benedicta Bassey November 5, 2024 0

The Senate has screened and confirmed seven ministerial nominees appointed by President Bola Ahmed T...


Menu