Freedom House reports Türkiye’s internet freedom is in decline while omitting security situation

The Washington-based international human rights organization Freedom House has released its 2024 Internet Freedom Report, categorizing Türkiye as a country where the internet does not have total freedom of content.

The report, prepared by Adrian Shahbaz, Allie Funk, and Kian Vesteinsson, evaluates internet freedom across 72 countries. This year, it highlighted that 19 countries enjoy free internet, 32 have partial freedom, and 21 countries do not have a free internet environment.

In Türkiye’s case, the report fails to mention the Turkish government’s justifications in implementing online bans such as security issues and counter-terror measures.

Türkiye score rises from 30 to 31 points

According to Gurkan Ozturan, a reporter for Freedom House Türkiye and the Media Freedom Monitoring Officer at the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, Türkiye’s score has risen from 30 to 31 points. Despite increases in mobile speeds and a decrease in restriction incidents, the report indicates that long prison sentences for social media posts, numerous access bans, content removal decisions, and the spread of misinformation continue to undermine internet freedom in Türkiye.

The report notes that the government has implemented various laws that increase censorship and surveillance, criminalizing online discourse. It emphasizes that while online troll networks continue to spread pro-government disinformation, journalists, activists, and social media users face legal charges for their online content. The report did not give examples of exactly what kind of pro-government disinformation was being spread.

Freedom House outlines key developments in the past year

The report outlines significant developments in Türkiye over the past year:

• In July 2023, authorities imposed an advertising ban on social network operator X. This ban ended in May 2024 after X opened a local office in Türkiye and appointed a local representative.
• In January 2024, Türkiye’s Constitutional Court annulled a frequently used legal provision for blocking and removing content due to “violations of personal rights.” However, this decision did not take effect before the current reporting period ended, and authorities continued to impose significant access restrictions and content removals.
• In December 2023, 17 virtual private network (VPN) services were blocked without a court order, further narrowing the online media landscape.
• Following the February 2023 earthquakes, connection issues persisted in many cities within the disaster zone.
• On August 2, 2024, the Instagram platform was blocked in Türkiye a decision from the Information Technologies and Communication Authority( BTK) with the announcement, “instagram.com has been blocked from access with the decision numbered 490.05.01.2024.-608903 dated 02/08/2024.” This ban did not affect other popular social media applications from Meta, such as Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp, and was implemented in response to what was described as a “restriction on freedom of expression.” The reason for Instagram’s ban is based on discussions that began with a post made by Communications Director Fahrettin Altun on the X platform on August 31.
• Another popular social media application owned by Meta, Threads, has also been blocked in Türkiye for months. Since April 29, 2024, this Twitter (X) rival social network has not been operational in Türkiye.
• One of the latest platforms to be banned in Türkiye is Roblox. Access to the platform was restricted by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK) with the announcement, “roblox.com has been blocked from access with the decision numbered 2024/5282 dated 07/08/2024 from the Adana 6th Criminal Court of Peace.”

Turkish government alledges cyber bias and warfare

The report highlights that under the rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the AK Party, which has been in power since 2002, there has been a noticeable shift towards authoritarianism.

Yet the report fails to include that any sovereign nation can request a foreign company for a foreign representative given the protection it requires to provide protection its citizens. Once complying with Turkish authorities then applications are free for access.

Recent issues that have taken place in Türkiye include:

• Access to websites promoting terror and terrorist propaganda stemming from the Fethullah Gulen Terrorist Organization (FETO) and the PKK/YPG remain blocked for national security.
• In August 2024, Instagram was blocked because Turkish social media users filed complaints that their posts sharing solidarity with Palestinians and posts regarding the assasination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, were being deliberately deleted.
• META continues to not comply with Turkish authorities and as such Threads remains blocked.
• Roblox was recognized as a threat to children’s safety. Viral videos prior to its block showcased how young boys were meeting in public spaces with individuals they chatted virtually.
• In February 2024, Turkish intelligence busted a French spy network whereby Türkiye’s treaty ally France was caught spreading false propaganda to fuel anti-refugee sentiments.
• Strong allegations of false propaganda operations of Russia, Iran, Syria, Israel, and Türkiye’s NATO allies persist.

Various circles within the Turkish government have noted thousands of online bots that create sensation when sensitive events occur in Türkiye.

The former Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu would speak at length to journalists regarding these accounts. Yet the new cabinet since the 2023 general elections is less vocal, more action oriented.

Given security dynamics, internet freedom will continue on a similar path in Türkiye.

Iceland remains the free-est of them all

According to Freedom House, Iceland ranks as the country with the most internet freedom, scoring 94 points. In contrast, China and Myanmar were identified as the countries with the least freedom, each scoring just 9 points.