Turkey has lifted its ban on Instagram after the social media giant agreed to cooperate with Turkish authorities. The platform had been blocked on August 2 for failing to comply with the country’s laws and address public sensitivities.
The dispute arose after a top Turkish official accused Instagram of blocking condolence posts about the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The ban, lasting nine days, sparked protests from users and small businesses dependent on Instagram to reach customers. Turkey is one of the world’s largest Instagram markets, ranking fifth globally with over 57 million users.
In a statement, Turkey’s Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced that the ban would be lifted after successful negotiations with Instagram’s parent company, Meta.
The company agreed to collaborate with Turkish authorities to meet demands related to “catalog crimes”. These crimes include serious offenses like murder and drug trafficking. The company also committed to ensuring the removal of content deemed as “terrorism propaganda.”
Uraloglu highlighted the significance of this agreement, noting that it would enhance security, legal compliance, and user rights in Turkey’s digital environment.
This ban marks the longest restriction of a major social media platform in Turkey in recent years. Internet monitor NetBlocks confirmed the restoration of Instagram across Turkey’s main internet providers.
