While the blocking of arrested IBB Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s X account caused controversy, it was revealed that the platform did not apply similar decisions to some accounts. While X blocked İmamoğlu’s account from Turkey, it also announced that it would appeal this decision.
According to the data of the Freedom of Expression Association, with the decision of the Istanbul 2nd Criminal Judgeship of Peace dated April 2, access to 52 X accounts and 261 posts were blocked. Within the scope of this decision, the accounts of YouTuber Diamond Tema, actors Rojda Demirer and Alican Yücesoy, announcer Şebnem Arda Boğa, musician Hakan Ergün and painter Onur Bolat were restricted.
However, the X accounts of Barış Atay, Berna Laçin and Prof. Dr. Bengi Başer, who were included in the same decision, are still accessible from Turkey. X’s contradictory decisions have brought the debate on censorship and freedom of expression back to the agenda.
09.05.2025
Kısa Dalga