PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 7: In this photo illustration, Social Media, Instagram and Threads app logos are displayed on a smartphone screen on October 7, 2019 in Paris, France. Social network Instagram launched its new app Threads last week to facilitate ongoing, intimate sharing between users and their closest friends. This Snapchat-inspired email app complements the popular Instagram image-sharing service. (Photo by Chesnot/Getty Images)
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Turkey said on Saturday it had restored access to social media platform Instagram after the company agreed to cooperate with authorities to address the government’s concerns.
Turkey blocked access to the social media platform on August 2 for failing to comply with the country’s “laws and rules” and public sensitivities.
A senior Turkish official has accused Instagram of blocking posts mourning the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Turkey has condemned Israel’s attack on Gaza, called for an immediate ceasefire and criticized the West’s so-called unconditional support for Israel.
The nine-day ban sparked protests from users and small businesses who reach customers through the platform.
According to data platform Statista, Turkey ranks fifth in the world for Instagram usage, with more than 57 million users, following India, the United States, Brazil and Indonesia.
Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said in a statement: “As a result of negotiations with Instagram officials, we will lift access restrictions… following their commitment to work together to meet Following our requests regarding directory crime and user vetting.
The catalog of crimes under Turkish law includes murder, sexual assault, drug trafficking, ill-treatment and torture.
“Turkey has achieved significant results in improving the security of the digital environment, complying with the law, protecting user rights and developing fair inspection mechanisms,” Ulaloglu said.
Uraloglu said that Instagram parent company Meta has agreed to comply with Turkish law and ensure the effective removal of posts and content with certain criminal or “terrorist propaganda” elements.
Instagram was not immediately available for comment when contacted by Reuters.
“Real-time data shows that Instagram is recovering on Turkey’s major Internet providers after a nine-day nationwide restriction. This is the country’s longest ban on a major social media platform in recent years,” said Internet monitoring agency NetBlocks.
