Turkey Set to Hold Talks with Instagram Over Access Blockage

Turkey's government will engage in discussions with Instagram officials after blocking the social media platform. The move responds to allegations that Instagram censored condolence posts following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Turkish officials criticize Instagram's compliance with national laws, having addressed these concerns in previous meetings.

Turkey's government plans to engage in talks with Instagram officials after recently blocking access to the social media platform. Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu made the announcement in a post on X.

The blockage followed accusations from a senior Turkish official who claimed Instagram was blocking condolence posts for Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, after his assassination. Uraloglu noted that Turkey had discussed compliance with Turkish laws with Instagram representatives in a prior meeting.

Turkish communications official Fahrettin Altun criticized Instagram for purportedly censoring condolence messages for Haniyeh, who was killed in Iran's capital Tehran. Iran and Hamas have blamed Israel for orchestrating the attack. Turkey ranks fifth globally in Instagram usage with approximately 57 million users, trailing behind India, the U.S., Brazil, and Indonesia.

(With inputs from agencies.)