Turkey is preparing to significantly strengthen its control over social media networks and messaging platforms, raising serious concerns about freedom of expression and access to information in the country.
The proposed legislation, which aims to expand authorities’ powers, threatens to dramatically transform Turkey’s digital landscape and affect millions of users. While officials claim these measures will ensure “national security,” critics fear they will lead to excessive censorship and suppression of dissenting voices.
The New Digital Control Framework
Summary of proposed changes
- Turkey is considering several significant changes to the legislative framework governing social networks and messaging applications, which include:
- Extended Blocking Powers: Turkish authorities will acquire increased powers to block access to various social networks and messaging platforms without the need for a court order. This measure is justified by the need to protect “national security”.
- Creation of Local Companies for Web Giants: All web giants with more than one million users in Turkey will be required to establish a local company to operate in the country. This is intended to facilitate control of these platforms by the Turkish authorities.
- Inclusion of messaging platforms: From now on, messaging platforms will also be subject to the same regulations as social networks, classifying them as “over-the-top” service providers.
Political Context Fueling Digital Repression
This legislative push comes amid political tensions in Turkey, highlighted by a recent 42-hour shutdown of social media services following protests over the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. During this blackout, many citizens turned to VPN services to circumvent internet restrictions. The ongoing political instability has created an environment of distrust toward authorities and heightened concerns about digital rights.
Turkey has a well-documented history of internet censorship. According to VPN providers, authorities have imposed at least 17 distinct restrictions since 2015. Popular platforms including Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, WhatsApp, and Telegram are routinely targeted. Notable incidents include the blocking of X after a devastating earthquake in February 2023 and multiple service disruptions during protest movements throughout 2024.
VPN Crackdown and Legislative Details
Since December 2023, Turkish authorities have intensified efforts to suppress VPN usage, which citizens commonly employ to bypass government-imposed access restrictions. Despite these efforts to limit access to uncensored information, VPN services like Proton VPN continue to report usage spikes, demonstrating citizens’ resilience against censorship attempts.
The proposed legislation would grant the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) broad powers to restrict access to social media networks and messaging applications for reasons including “national security, public order, public health, or other public interest considerations.”
The BTK already possesses the authority to reduce bandwidth by up to 90% for 24 hours during emergencies, raising serious questions about the scope and application of these expanded powers.
Implications for Digital Rights
Digital rights advocates are deeply concerned about these legislative changes. Many fear that the new powers granted to authorities will be wielded to further strengthen censorship and restrict independent journalism. On March 13, 2025, a new cybersecurity law was passed, introducing prison sentences for false claims about cybersecurity-related data breaches—further highlighting a troubling trend toward digital freedom restrictions in Turkey.
A Future of Uncertainty
The cybersecurity bill and the expansion of blocking powers signal a movement toward enhanced censorship in Turkey.
As users and digital rights advocates closely monitor the evolution of these regulations, there’s growing awareness of the potential consequences for freedom of expression and access to diverse information within the country. While the future of Turkey’s digital landscape remains uncertain, vigilance is clearly necessary to protect citizens’ rights in an increasingly connected world.
The combined effect of these measures could fundamentally alter how Turkish citizens interact online, potentially isolating them from global discourse and limiting their ability to freely share information. As Turkey continues down this path of digital control, the international community watches closely, concerned about the precedent being set for other nations considering similar restrictions on digital freedoms.
