Turkey fines Meta for refusing to suspend protest-linked accounts

Facebook parent company Meta said Tuesday it has been fined a “substantial amount” in Turkey for failing to comply with government orders to suspend accounts linked to ongoingprotests against the detention of Istanbul’s opposition mayor.

"We believe freedom of expression is a fundamental right and that our platforms should be a place where users around the world can exercise this right," a Meta spokesperson said in a statement.

"Government requests to restrict speech online alongside threats to shut down online services are severe and have a chilling effect on people's ability to express themselves," the company added.

Meta did not disclose the exact amount of the fine.

The crackdown extends beyond Meta. Elon Musk-owned X has also received orders to suspend hundreds of accounts, most belonging to university-affiliated activists sharing protest updates, according to Politico.

The accounts have been suspended only in Turkey, though X has been challenging the orders in court.

Mass protests erupted across Turkey on March 19 after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, the most prominent political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The demonstrations have been met with a heavy-handed response from security forces. United Nations also showed concern over the arrest of the journalist covering the protests.

Opposition leader Ozgur Ozel has called for a boycott of businesses allegedly aligned with Erdogan’s government, further fueling tensions.