PodcastTurkey's nationalist party suggests accessing social media with ID numbers in draft bill
MHP deputy Halil Öztürk has submitted a draft bill to parliament that suggests accessing social media with ID numbers. The draft bill added to the concerns in the country on censorship and the freedom of expression, with thousands of people being subjected to fines and jail sentences each year for criticizing the government on social media.
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Turkey's Interior Ministry detains 400 social media users for COVID-19 commentsThe Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), a staunch ally of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), has suggested accessing social media with ID numbers in a draft bill they submitted to parliament.
The bill on "regulating broadcasts on internet and struggling crimes committed via these" was submitted to Parliament Speaker's Office by MHP deputy Halil Öztürk, who claimed that internet users suffer from fake news and accounts on social media.
"Our bill aims to introduce the obligation for social network providers based in the country and abroad with a daily access of over 500,000 from Turkey to open representations and assign representatives in Turkey, as well as to prevent the creation of fake accounts in Turkey via making it obligatory for these providers to ask for Turkish Republic ID numbers from those who want to benefit from their services," Öztürk said.
"On the other hand, the protection of ID numbers would be ensured within the Law on the Protection of Personal Data and heavy administrative fines are suggested against the social network providers that fail to comply with the measures," he added.
The draft bill added to the concerns in the country on censorship and the freedom of expression, with thousands of people being subjected to fines and jail sentences each year for criticizing the government on social media.