ANKARA: Turkiye has blocked access to social media platform Instagram, the infotech regulator said on Friday, without stating a reason or duration for the ban, which also left the platform’s mobile app inaccessible.
The move follows comments on Wednesday by Turkish communications official Fahrettin Altun, criticizing the platform for what he called its decision to block condolence posts on the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, a key official of Palestinian militant group Hamas.
“This is censorship, pure and simple,” Altun, the communications director of the Turkish presidency, said on X, adding that Instagram had not cited any policy violations for its action.
There was no immediate comment from Instagram parent Meta Platforms Inc. on either the ban or Altun’s comments.
Turkiye’s Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) published the Aug. 2 decision on its website.
Turkiye blocks access to Instagram platform but gives no reason
https://arab.news/g3re9
Turkiye blocks access to Instagram platform but gives no reason
- Turkiye blocks access to Instagram: communications authority
Spain seeks removal of ads for rentals in Israeli settlements
- The consumer affairs ministry identified 138 listings on platforms operating in Spain and notified the companies to “immediately remove or block” the content
MADRID: Spain’s leftist government has ordered seven online platforms to remove more than 100 listings for vacation rentals in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.
The consumer affairs ministry said Tuesday it has identified 138 listings on platforms operating in Spain and notified the companies to “immediately remove or block” the content.
If they fail to comply, the platforms could face further government action, the statement said without specifying what the consequences would be.
The move is part of measures adopted by Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s government backing Palestinians and condemning Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
A decree approved by lawmakers in October includes an arms embargo on Israel and a ban on the advertising of products “coming from illegal colonies in Gaza and the West Bank.”
Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy said the listings help “normalize and perpetuate a colonial regime considered illegal under international law.”
In October, France’s Human Rights League filed complaints against Airbnb and Booking.com accusing them of promoting “occupation tourism” by featuring properties in settlements.
Most of the international community considers Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law, while Israel views them as largely legal.
Spain recognized a Palestinian state in 2024 and has become one of the most outspoken European critics of Israel’s actions in Gaza, launched after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks in southern Israel.
