Turkey Bans Facebook and Other Social Media Platforms After Istanbul Blast

After the most recent bombing attack in Istanbul, Turkey blocked Facebook and other significant social media networks. Following the Istanbul bombing, Turkey blocks access to Facebook and other social media platforms. On November 13, a Sunday, the attack took place. The bombing in question, according to the Turkish government, is the bloodiest in more than five years. The explosion left 81 people injured as well as eight dead. The bombing's perpetrators would face punishment, according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Of course, there were a tonne of videos and other materials online about the incident. As a result, the Turkish government made the decision to impose a broad access prohibition. A sudden broadcasting block was imposed by Turkey's RTUK, according to the most recent report from Bleeping Computer (Radio and Television Supreme Council). [caption id="attachment_62592" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Image credit: techtimes[/caption] On November 13, 2022, a powerful explosion of unknown origin jolted the popular commercial street of Istiklal in Istanbul. Following the incident, members of a forensic team work. - The "vile attack" that tore through central Istanbul on November 13, 2022, according to the Turkish President, left six people dead and more than 50 more injured. The Istanbul explosion was subject to a broadcast prohibition. All of our media organisations have been made aware of it, according to a tweet from the news outlet. Additionally, Turkish ISPs made the decision to restrict access to popular social media websites like Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and Telegram.

İstanbul’daki patlamaya ilişkin yayın yasağı getirilmiştir. Tüm medya kuruluşlarımızın dikkatine önemle sunulur. pic.twitter.com/M09pddfOUc

— RADYO VE TELEVİZYON ÜST KURULU (@rtukkurumsal) November 13, 2022

The extensive social media ban by Turkey was also confirmed by NetBlocks, a watchdog group that keeps track of internet governance and cybersecurity. However, NetBlocks also tweeted that the Turkish government had already begun to restore access to social media on Monday, November 14.

ℹ️ Update: Metrics show that access to social media is being restored in #Turkey; Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook were restricted and a media ban imposed after a deadly bombing near #Taksim, #Istanbul; incident duration ~10 hours ? Report: https://t.co/Xww9RgoNlu pic.twitter.com/qUOrRWuLCR

— NetBlocks (@netblocks) November 14, 2022

The Turkish authorities didn't exactly explain why access to popular social networking sites was abruptly restricted following the Istanbul bombing. A new rule against spreading false information was previously proposed by Turkish President Erdogan and later became law. This new "fake news" law seeks to punish media professionals and social media users for disseminating false information, particularly for posts that can sow panic and disturb public order.