Turkey Seeks to Block Over 700 X Accounts Amid Crackdown on Dissent

March 24, 2025 – Turkey – 

In March 2025, the Turkish government formally requested that the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) block access to more than 700 user accounts, sparking renewed controversy over digital censorship and political repression. The accounts targeted reportedly include journalists, news organizations, activists, students, and political dissidents—many of whom were involved in or voiced support for recent protests against the arrest of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu.

İmamoğlu’s detention on corruption charges has triggered widespread demonstrations across Turkey, with over 1,100 people reportedly arrested, including several members of the press. Critics have denounced the charges as politically motivated and view the crackdown as part of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s ongoing efforts to suppress dissent and silence opposition voices.

The Turkish government claimed that the X accounts posed threats to national security and public order. However, human rights advocates and media freedom organizations argue that the move is an attempt to stifle free expression and control narratives surrounding the political unrest.

X responded by criticizing the request as “unlawful” and stated that it would not comply. In a public statement, the platform emphasized its commitment to protecting free speech and maintaining access to independent journalism and political discourse. X also announced that it would challenge the request through legal avenues.

Despite these declarations, several users reported having their accounts suspended. Among them was activist Ömer Faruk Aslan, whose account reportedly drew over six million views before being taken down. Independent media outlet Bianet also reported that its account was censored, despite its journalistic focus.

This incident underscores the growing global tension between governments and tech platforms regarding online speech and censorship. For Turkey, it marks yet another chapter in the country’s contentious relationship with social media companies, which have frequently been pressured to remove content critical of the state.

As legal challenges unfold, the incident raises pressing questions about the limits of digital expression, the responsibilities of tech companies, and the future of press freedom in increasingly authoritarian contexts.

Reference – 

https://www.barrons.com/news/turkey-wants-more-than-700-x-accounts-blocked-platform-6bdad6f8

https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/turkiye-wants-more-than-700-x-accounts-blocked-platform/

Turkish gov’t wants more than 700 X accounts blocked: platform