Meta has been hit with a significant fine by the Turkish government for refusing to comply with demands to limit content on Facebook and Instagram. This move comes amid a broader effort by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration to suppress opposition voices on social media, particularly following the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, a prominent political rival.
Meta stated that it resisted Turkish requests to restrict content that is clearly in the public interest, resulting in the substantial fine. The company didn’t disclose the fine’s exact amount or details about the specific content involved. The Turkish government has not yet commented on the matter.
Meta emphasized that such government demands, along with threats to shut down online platforms, severely restrict free expression.
In recent years, Turkey has intensified efforts to control social media platforms. After protests erupted in March over the arrest of opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu, social media services like X, Instagram, and Facebook faced temporary blocks. Over 700 X accounts—belonging to journalists, media outlets, civil society groups, and students—were blocked. X has indicated that it will challenge these actions.
Additionally, dozens of individuals have been arrested for social media posts that were seen as supportive of the protests.
