- Turkey plans to expand the power of authorities to block access to social media because of “national security”
- Global companies with over 1 million users in Turkey will also be required to set up a local company
- Messaging platforms are also included in the so-called “over-the-top service providers”, which are expected to follow the new rules
Turkey plans to expand the power of authorities to block access to social media and Messaging platforms on “National Security” reasons without a court decision.
According to a report from the Turkish news site Ekonomim and reported by the BANET ENGLISH, the draft change would also require these so-called “over-the-top service providers” to establish a local company when they have more than 1 million users in Turkey.
The draft law follows a 42-hour shutdown on social media, in the midst of protests elicited by the arrest of Ekrem ̇Mamoğlu, which forced citizens to turn to the best VPN apps. There is still unrest throughout the country at the time of writing.
Turkey’s Internet Control
Turkey is notorious for seeking control over the Internet. VPN provider Surfshark, for example, recorded a total of 17 cases where authorities enforced some form of internet restriction since 2015. Instagram, X, YouTube, WhatsApp and Telegram are the main goals.
Examples include a block of X at a time when people needed it most – the demand for the deadly earthquake that shook both Turkey and Syria in February 2023. Social media and Messaging apps also became dark in times of political turmoil in 2024.
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Turkish authorities have also turned down on VPN services, the most popular tool for bypassing state imposed internet restrictions since at least December 2023. People have reportedly managed to avoid this ban, but like most VPNs, like Proton VPN, holding admissions across the country.
Stopping the spread of hate opinion and disinformation is usually the motive behind these temporary blocks to people’s online communication according to the current rules by getting a court decision.
However, the draft amendment would strengthen the Information and Communication Technology Authority (BTK) to directly limit access to social media and messaging apps “because of national security, public order, public health or similar considerations of general interest,” Bianet English reported.
As the news site points out, BTK already has the power to throttle bandwidth by up to 90 percent for up to 24 hours in emergencies, with de facto making access to targeted sites and apps almost impossible.
The change could also extend the existing requirements to appoint a local representative that requires a new obligation to set up a local company for providers with more than 1 million users in Turkey.
Mass censorship and information control are spreading all over the world. Turkey’s new “cybersecurity” law is largely seen as another censorship tool. Setting a @signalApp -proxy -Server help keep private communication alive even when regimes try to shut it down. pic.twitter.com/2fl7doiea0March 30, 2025
The news of the draft change comes in a delicate time of political turmoil. Protests on the arrest of the major opposition leaders are still ongoing, in fact, with journalists increasingly against arrest.
X accounts for protesters and opposition persons have also reportedly been blocked by Erdogan’s orders.
In addition, on March 13, 2025, a new cyber security law was also enforced, introducing new powers to fight back against cybercrime in the country. These include “two to five years in prison to false to claim that a cyber security -related data leak has occurred,” Bianet English reported.
Still, digital rights now fear that these new forces are too broad and can be used to limit independent reporting and suffocated dissent, the global voices reported. This can de facto further increase the internet census levels.
