What is the Latest Status of Instagram’s Access Block? Is the Ban Permanent?

The access block imposed on the Instagram platform by the Information Technologies and Communications Authority (BTK) on August 2 is still continuing. Following BTK’s ex officio access ban decision, the court was expected to issue a decision within 48 hours. However, the 48-hour period given for the court decision expired around 03:00 tonight and the fate of Instagram in Turkey remains unclear at the moment. Here are the details…

When Will the Instagram Ban Be Lifted?

Aside from the fact that the court did not make a decision to block access within 48 hours, it was announced that the reason for Instagram’s closure was catalog crimes. When it comes to catalog crimes, the institution can impose an access ban without the need for a court order and can continue the closure decision indefinitely.

In this context, due to the completion of the temporary access ban period and the closure of the platform within the scope of catalog crimes, Instagram will remain closed to access in Turkey unless it changes its policy regarding the decisions in question.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, who had previously made a statement about the access barrier, stated that the reason for the closure was catalog crimes and said, “Our sensitivities are clear. The deficiencies there are obvious. The moment they fix those deficiencies, that is, say, in an hour, we will have removed that obstacle.” had used it.

What are Catalog Crimes?

The catalog crimes shown as the reason for the closure of the Instagram platform are defined in Article 8 of Law No. 5651. These crimes are listed in the relevant article as follows:

a) Included in the Turkish Penal Code No. 5237 dated 26/9/2004;

1) Directing to suicide (article 84),
2) Sexual abuse of children (article 103, first paragraph),
3) Facilitating the use of narcotic or stimulant substances (article 190),
4) Supply of substances hazardous to health (article 194),
5) Obscenity (article 226),
6) Prostitution (article 227),
7) Providing a place and opportunity for gambling (Article 228), crimes.
b) Crimes included in the Law on Crimes Committed Against Ataturk No. 5816 dated 25/7/1951.
c) (Added: 25/3/2020-7226/32 art.) Crimes included in the Law No. 7258 dated 29/4/1959 on the Regulation of Betting and Games of Chance in Football and Other Sports Competitions.
ç) (Added: 13/10/2022-7418/32 art.) Crimes included in the first and second paragraphs of Article 27 of the State Intelligence Services and National Intelligence Organization Law No. 2937 dated 1/11/1983.

So what do you think about this issue? Please don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments!