Turkey has unexpectedly blocked Instagram, affecting over 50 million users in the country. The decision was made by the Turkish Information Technologies and Communication Authority, though no specific reason was given for this action. Fahrettin Altun, a senior Turkish communications official, condemned the move, calling it blatant censorship.
He expressed frustration that Instagram did not offer any explanation for why certain posts were blocked, leading to this larger restriction. This sudden ban has left many Turkish Instagram users without access to the popular social media platform.
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Instagram, has not yet commented on the situation. The lack of communication and transparency around the issue has raised concerns among users and officials alike, sparking a broader debate about internet freedom and censorship in Turkey. This incident underscores the ongoing tension between the government and social media companies, highlighting the challenges of maintaining open communication channels in a heavily regulated environment.