On October 5, Turkish authorities took decisive action to restrict access to at least 88 accounts on the platform X (formerly Twitter), including that of the Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD). This move came shortly after the authorities imposed restrictions on a project account associated with İFÖD that monitors online censorship practices in Turkey, as reported by the Bianet news outlet. These actions underscore a concerning trend of increasing governmental control over digital expression within the country.
Details of the Access Restrictions
The İFÖD’s account (@ifadeorgtr) was blocked on the grounds of national security and public order, resulting in limited access to users within Turkey. It’s important to note that an access-blocking order does not automatically render an account unavailable on X; the platform has to take additional steps to enforce the restrictions locally. Many other accounts affected by this latest round of restrictions were also made inaccessible to Turkish users, further highlighting the scope of this crackdown.
The October 5 restrictions were not limited to civil society organizations but also impacted various professionals, including journalists, a retired judge, and individuals in technology, psychology, and the arts. Notable figures among those targeted included Ömer Faruk Eminağaoğlu, a former judge and head of the Union of Judges and Prosecutors (YARSAV), as well as members of the Women’s Party, which promotes women’s and youth participation in politics.
Broader Implications for Freedom of Expression
In addition to İFÖD’s account, restrictions affected prominent journalists such as Hamdi Çelikbaş and Yiğit Uzun, as well as well-known advocates for open-source software and mental health. Uzun’s investigative reporting focuses heavily on critical issues surrounding politics, policing, and security, making him a significant target in this wave of restrictions.
These actions are part of a broader pattern of increasing governmental interference in digital communication, particularly against entities advocating for free speech or documenting censorship in Turkey. The crackdown on İFÖD escalated following earlier severe restrictions on associated projects and individuals. On October 1, authorities moved to block the X account of EngelliWeb, a project designed to document website and social media restrictions, further chilling the environment for digital activism.
Legal Context and Rising Censorship
The restrictions faced by İFÖD were cited under Article 8/A of Law No. 5651, which has been criticized for its vagueness and potential for abuse. The authorities conveyed this decision through Turkey’s Cyber Security Presidency, though İFÖD received no formal notice of the ruling itself. This lack of transparency is indicative of a broader issue regarding the enforcement of censorship laws in Turkey, where judicial oversight is often lacking.
Additionally, the recent actions appear to be part of a concerning trend, with a record increase in access-blocking orders recorded in September. A staggering total of 1,270 accounts were targeted that month alone under Articles 8 and 8/A, with X withholding access to about 90% of these accounts in Turkey. This pattern predominantly affects journalists, human rights advocates, and various marginalized groups, emphasizing the significant implications for freedom of speech and expression.
Turkey’s Constitutional Court had previously ruled in 2023 that Article 8/A lacked essential safeguards, thus allowing arbitrary interference by public authorities. This ruling highlighted ongoing violations of both freedom of the press and expression, essential pillars of a democratic society. With the latest wave of account restrictions, it is evident that these issues remain unresolved, severely limiting the space for diverse voices and critical discourse in Turkey’s socio-political landscape.