Turkey has recently restored access to Instagram after a nine-day ban that started on August 2, 2024. The ban was implemented due to allegations that the platform censored condolence posts about the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. This action was part of Turkey's broader criticism of Israel's activities in Gaza and what it sees as unconditional support for Israel by Western countries.
The decision to lift the ban came after successful negotiations between Turkish authorities and Meta, Instagram's parent company. Meta agreed to comply with Turkish laws, especially concerning the removal of content that could be seen as promoting certain crimes or "terrorism propaganda." This agreement was essential in addressing the Turkish government's concerns and ensuring the platform's adherence to local regulations.
The ban had significant repercussions, leading to protests from users and small businesses that depend on Instagram for customer engagement. With over 57 million users, Turkey is one of Instagram's largest markets, making the impact of the ban especially severe.
The restoration process commenced following an announcement by Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, regarding the agreement. Access to Instagram was gradually reinstated across the country’s primary internet providers, concluding one of Turkey's most prolonged bans on a major social media platform in recent years.