Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has been fined a “substantial amount” by Türkiye for failing to comply with government directives to suspend accounts connected to protests triggered by the detention of Istanbul’s opposition mayor.
In a statement, Meta defended its stance, emphasising its commitment to freedom of expression and the belief that its platforms should provide users worldwide the ability to express themselves freely. The company stated, “Government requests to restrict speech online, alongside threats to shut down online services, are severe and have a chilling effect on people’s ability to express themselves.”
While Meta did not reveal the specific amount of the fine, it made clear its concerns about the implications for online speech. The fine comes amid a broader crackdown on social media platforms in Türkiye. Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) has also faced similar orders from the Turkish government, demanding the suspension of hundreds of accounts. X has largely complied, though it continues to challenge the demands in court.
The unrest in Türkiye began on March 19, following the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, the opposition mayor of Istanbul and a significant political rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Since then, anti-government protests have spread across the country, met with a strong response from authorities. Opposition leader Ozgur Ozel has called for a boycott of businesses believed to have ties to Erdogan’s government.
