Turkey detains 39 social media users in one week

Turkish authorities have inspected 1,264 social media accounts over the past week and detained 39 users for allegedly "conducting terror propaganda," according to a statement released by the Interior Ministry on Feb. 8.

Monday February 08 2021 06:27 pm

Duvar English

Turkish police have detained 39 people between Feb. 1-7 for allegedly “conducting terror propaganda,” according to a statement released by the Interior Ministry on Feb. 8

The statement said that officials have inspected 1,264 social media accounts and determined the names of 575 people using these accounts.

The ministry accused these social media users of conducting propaganda on behalf of the Gülen network (referred to as the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization or FETÖ by the government), Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), “extreme left terror organizations” and ISIS.

The Turkish government keeps a tight rein on most media, and social media platforms are among the few outlets where criticism of the authorities is allowed. But, even these platforms are at risk.

Turkey approved a law last year that gives authorities greater power to regulate social media. The government says the legislation was needed to combat cybercrime and to protect users of social media, however it has led to concerns of growing censorship.

Topics Turkey Turkey social media Turkish social media regulation