Summary
- Turkish President Erdogan condemns Instagram for censorship and digital fascism.
- Instagram, with 50-60 million users in Turkey, has been blocked for four days.
- The ban has caused significant economic losses, impacting businesses and e-commerce.
In Istanbul, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has sharply criticized Instagram, accusing the platform of “digital fascism” and censorship. The government has now blocked Instagram for the fourth consecutive day, alleging that the company failed to remove posts deemed offensive.
Erdogan’s remarks reflect growing tensions between Turkey and social media platforms over content control. He claimed that Instagram, owned by Meta, is ignoring Turkey’s demands while complying with regulations in the West. The blockade, imposed by Turkey’s BTK communications authority, has significantly disrupted businesses that rely heavily on Instagram for e-commerce, with losses estimated at nearly $57 million daily.
The Turkish government has summoned Instagram representatives for talks but has yet to reach an agreement. As the ban continues, it impacts many sectors including advertising, tourism, and small businesses, raising concerns about the broader economic effects
