TikTok could be next as Türkiye bans Instagram, Roblox

Chairman of the Turkish Parliament’s Digital Media Committee Huseyin Yayman and ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) MP from Hatay, has voiced strong criticism against TikTok.

He emphasized the implications of the widely used social media application on national security and societal values.

“The TikTok issue is a national security matter for Türkiye. The content on the platform is so bizarre and disconnected from reality that it cannot be endorsed. The decision to block or restrict access to TikTok falls under the purview of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), not the committee,” the chair said.

“However, as the committee chairman, I believe that politics should align with public sentiment. Our nation supports a TikTok ban,” Yayman maintained.

‘Advocating for devil’

Yayman further described TikTok as “advocating for the devil,” expressing his disapproval of the platform’s content and its perceived impact on societal values.

He criticized the platform for promoting posts that he viewed as contrary to local, national and universal values.

“I do not use TikTok. Feedback from the public indicates a strong desire for TikTok to be banned. The platform’s content has become a source of societal division and disdain. The behavior of some individuals posting irrational and absurd content under the guise of raising awareness is not a form of free expression but a departure from fundamental human and cultural values,” he added.

The chair also urged TikTok representatives in Türkiye and global network providers to align their broadcasting policies with Türkiye’s moral values, ethical standards and traditions.

Meta faces possible ban in Türkiye

On the other hand, Facebook, Meta’s platform alongside Instagram, is also facing a possible ban in Türkiye. This comes as TikTok is under similar scrutiny. Facebook recently removed Turkish daily T24’s report on Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar for violating community standards, further fueling the possibility of a ban.