Turkey Restores Access to Instagram after Nine-Day Block

The nine-day ban triggered protests from users and small businesses who reach their customers through the platform.

Advertisement
By Reuters | Updated: 12 August 2024 13:40 IST
Highlights
  • Instagram parent Meta has agreed to comply with Turkish law
  • Turkey's ban on Instagram has lasted longest there in recent years
  • Instagram is now removing problematic posts related to Turkey

Turkey is fifth in the world in terms of Instagram usage, with more than 57 million users

Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Claudio Schwarz

Turkey said on Saturday it had restored access to social media platform Instagram after the company agreed to cooperate with authorities to address the government's concerns.

Turkey blocked access to the social media platform on August 2 for failing to comply with the country's "laws and rules" and public sensitivities.

Advertisement

A top Turkish official accused Instagram of blocking condolence posts over the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Turkey has denounced Israel's attacks on Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire and criticised what it calls unconditional support for Israel by the West.

The nine-day ban triggered protests from users and small businesses who reach their customers through the platform.

Turkey ranks fifth in the world in terms of Instagram usage, with more than 57 million users, following India, the United States, Brazil and Indonesia, according to data platform Statista.

Advertisement

"As a result of our negotiations with Instagram officials, we will lift the access block...after they promised to work together to meet our demands regarding catalog crimes and on censorship imposed on users," Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said in a post on X.

Catalog crimes in Turkish law include acts such as murder, sexual assault, drug trafficking, abuse and torture.

Advertisement

"Significant gains have been achieved in increasing security in the digital environment in Turkey, legal compliance, protection of user rights and the development of a fair inspection mechanism," Uraloglu said.

Instagram parent Meta had agreed to comply with Turkish law and ensure efficient removal of posts and content if they carry elements of certain crimes or "terrorism propaganda", Uraloglu said.

Advertisement

Instagram was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Reuters.

"Live metrics show Instagram is being restored across Turkey's main internet providers after national restriction spanning nine days. This is the country's longest ban of a major social media platform in recent years," Internet monitor NetBlocks said.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

 

Get your daily dose of tech news, reviews, and insights, in under 80 characters on Gadgets 360 Turbo. Connect with fellow tech lovers on our Forum. Follow us on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News for instant updates. Catch all the action on our YouTube channel.

Further reading: Instagram, Turkey, Protests, Social Media
Advertisement

Related Stories

Popular Mobile Brands
  1. Amazon Prime Day 2026: Best Deals on Smartphones Under Rs. 15,000
  2. Amazon Prime Day 2026: Best Deals on iQOO Smartphones
  3. Best Thin and Light Laptops Under Rs. 70,000 for College Students in India
  4. Best Camera Phones Under Rs. 30,000 for Content Creators in India
  5. Amazon Prime Day 2026: Best Deals on Soundbars From JBL, and More
  6. Amazon Prime Day Deals 2026: Up to 70 Percent Off on These Projectors
  1. Best Camera Phones Under Rs. 30,000 for Content Creators in India: Motorola Edge 70 Fusion, Galaxy F56, More
  2. Boat Stone 900 Launched in India With Up to 80W Sound Output, Up to 15 Hours Audio Playback: Price, Features
  3. Cyberpunk 2077 Has Sold 40 Million Copies, CD Projekt Red Confirms
  4. Nothing Phone 1 Receives Final Software Update With Latest Security Patches, Bug Fixes and Improvements
  5. Nokia 235 4G (2026), 215 4G (2026) Launched Alongside Nokia 210 4G, and 200 4G With AI Assistant Button
  6. Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra Battery Details Leaked; Could Top iPhone 18 Pro Max's Battery Capacity
  7. OnePlus Ace 7 Series Tipped to Feature 185Hz Display, 9,000mAh Battery
  8. WhatsApp Rolls Out Primary Device Support on iPad, Tests New Setup Screen for Android Tablets: Report
  9. Government Directs App Stores to Remove Malicious Apps Used to Disrupt E-Rickshaw Operations: Report
  10. Sony Reportedly Restructures Disc Factory After Announcing End of Physical Game Discs on PlayStation
Download Our Apps
Available in Hindi
© Copyright Red Pixels Ventures Limited 2026. All rights reserved.