Instagram ban in Türkiye costs $57.4M daily
The Turkish butcher, chef and restaurateur Nusret Gökçe, known as Salt Bae, serves meal to his customers
Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK)’s decision to restrict access to Instagram in Türkiye as of Aug.2 has raised significant concerns within the e-commerce sector.
This move could potentially impact a daily e-commerce revenue of ₺1.9 billion.
E-commerce details
Emre Ekmekci, Vice President of the Electronic Commerce Operators Association (ETID), emphasized the substantial role of social media in Türkiye’s e-commerce landscape.
- He noted that 10% of the country’s total e-commerce is conducted via social media platforms, primarily Instagram, which translates to a daily transaction volume of ₺930 million.
- Including influencer-driven traffic, this figure could soar to ₺1.9 billion.
Ban does not create a positive environment
Ekmekci stressed that restricting any e-commerce channels is detrimental to the sector, particularly with a year-end target of ₺3.4 trillion in transaction volume.
Every channel is crucial for us. Instagram is a significant platform in Türkiye, supporting various business models and investments. This decision does not create a positive environment for our industry
Emre Ekmekci
As Instagram’s restriction continues without a clear timeline for resolution, the e-commerce sector braces for potential disruptions and economic impacts.
The industry calls for reconsideration to maintain a favorable business climate.
Why did Türkiye ban Instagram?
The ban was reportedly triggered by Instagram’s restriction of posts concerning Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, after his reported assassination. This move came in response to increasing dissatisfaction in Türkiye over perceived censorship.
- Government reaction: Fahrettin Altun, head of the Presidency’s Directorate of Communications, criticized Instagram’s censorship of posts relating to Ismail Haniyeh. He condemned the platform’s actions, framing them as an attack on freedom of expression and global justice.
We will continue to defend freedom of expression against platforms that serve global exploitation and injustice Fahrettin Altun
- Meta: There was no immediate comment from Instagram parent Meta on either the ban or Altun’s comments.
