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Cyber Law Expert Yaman Akdeniz asks for the real reason behind the Instagram ban

Cyber Law Expert Yaman Akdeniz, who shared a screenshot of the post made by Communications Director Fahrettin Altun regarding Ismail Haniye after the Instagram ban was lifted, had his own post removed by Instagram on the grounds that it violated the "Dangerous Organizations and Individuals Policy." Sharing details about the appeal process, Akdeniz stated that Turkey had not made any agreement with Instagram and asked, "What is the real reason for the censorship of Instagram?"

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Instagram, which was blocked by a BTK decision on August 2, was reopened for access in Turkey on August 10 following statements by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu.

Before Instagram was shut down in Turkey, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun had published a condolence message on his X account on July 31 following Haniye's death, and pointing out that Instagram was blocking posts about Haniye, he stated: “Furthermore, I strongly condemn the social media platform Instagram, which prevents people from posting condolence messages due to Haniye's martyrdom without providing any justification. This is a very clear and explicit attempt at censorship.”

ALTUN POSTED ABOUT HANIYE AGAIN ONCE INSTAGRAM WAS OPENED

As soon as Instagram was opened, Altun included Haniye in his first post.

While Instagram allowed this post, it deemed that even though it violated the “Dangerous Organizations and Individuals Policy,” it had “newsworthiness.”

Cyber Law Expert Yaman Akdeniz shared a screenshot of Altun's post about Haniye with the note: “Communications Director Fahrettin Altun has returned to Instagram with a ‘Martyr Ismail Haniye condolence message’ after the censorship.”

Instagram removed this post by Akdeniz from publication on the grounds that it violated the “Dangerous Organizations and Individuals Policy.”

 

Stating, “If Altun's post has newsworthiness, my post is no different,” Akdeniz shared details regarding the appeal process.

Stating that he would take the matter to the Oversight Board, which was established independently of META, if he does not get results from the automated appeal process, Akdeniz said, “Platforms are also expected to tolerate such posts.”

“Legal action can also be taken regarding this wrongful practice. However, it is more logical to proceed through the appeal and the Oversight Board,” said Akdeniz, adding, “The result of this should never be the total censorship of Instagram. I would never want a repeat of what the state did through the head of the BTK.”

"CAN THERE BE A ONE-SIDED AGREEMENT?"

Drawing attention to the statement by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu that “We have reached an agreement with Instagram,” Akdeniz asked, “While Instagram continues to remain silent, can there be a one-sided agreement?”

 

Expressing that no agreement had been made with Instagram and that nothing had changed, Akdeniz posed the question, “Then I ask again, what is the real reason for the censorship of Instagram?”