Government prepares for WhatsApp regulation... What are the details of the new draft?
The AKP government is preparing a new regulation targeting messaging applications such as WhatsApp and Signal. Here are the details...
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The government has prepared a new draft that includes messaging services like WhatsApp and Signal, with a regulation similar to the legal arrangements it previously implemented for social media platforms.
It is suggested that this regulation parallels the legal arrangements previously made for platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok.
DETAILS OF THE NEW DRAFT
The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), which frequently brings regulations for social media and communication platforms to the agenda, plans to supervise platforms like WhatsApp and Signal with a new regulation as well. In a statement, Prof. Dr. Yaman Akdeniz evaluated the draft regulation prepared under the name of Over-the-Top Service Provision. Akdeniz stated that the regulation in question offers a framework similar to the arrangements previously made for social media platforms.
BANDWIDTH THROTTLING AND ACCESS BLOCKING PENALTIES
According to the draft, platforms like WhatsApp and Signal will face the obligation to establish a company in Turkey. If the platforms are not properly authorized by Turkish authorities, they will be subject to serious sanctions such as bandwidth throttling and access blocking. Prof. Dr. Akdeniz stated that this regulation would create serious difficulties for users and that millions of people could be prevented from using these services.
CONTROL OVER COMMUNICATION AIMED BEFORE ELECTIONS
Akdeniz made the following assessment regarding the new regulation:
"The use of these services in Turkey will be made more difficult. The government aims to increase control over these platforms, and it is clear that the goal is to bring these services under supervision before the next elections."