Social media platform X has released an official statement regarding access restrictions in Turkey. The statement indicated that they are challenging the decisions of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) to block more than 700 accounts.
Access to many social media accounts was restricted during the process surrounding the detention and arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. Following these developments, X issued a statement via its official account.
The full text of the statement made by X is as follows:
''We are challenging the numerous court orders from the Turkish Information and Communication Technologies Authority to block more than 700 accounts belonging to news organizations, journalists, political figures, students, and other individuals in Turkey. Providing a platform committed to defending everyone's right to freedom of expression is paramount for X, and we believe that this decision by the Turkish government is not only unlawful but also deprives millions of Turkish users of news and political discourse in their country. We look forward to defending these principles through the legal system. X will always defend freedom of expression wherever we operate.''
Following the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu, access restrictions were applied to many social media accounts in Turkey. These accounts included news organizations, journalists, political figures, and students. X emphasized that these blocking decisions were unlawful and restricted freedom of expression.
The platform announced that it would challenge the decisions in question through legal channels. X reiterated its commitment to defending freedom of expression in all countries where it operates.
News Source: 12punto
