Access to several popular online platforms, including X, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp, has been restricted across multiple networks in Turkey, internet monitors reported on Monday. The restrictions began late Sunday night, with users facing difficulties accessing these platforms as internet speeds were deliberately throttled.
The sudden disruption came at a politically tense moment when the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) called for rallies in Istanbul. Police had already set up barricades around the party’s headquarters, raising concerns about growing restrictions on public assembly and communication.
Reports confirmed that the access problems started at 8:45 p.m. GMT on Sunday, affecting millions of users across the country. As a result, citizens struggled to communicate, share updates, or stream live content from the planned demonstrations. The move has been widely viewed as an attempt to curb the spread of information during opposition-led activities.
Turkey’s Freedom of Expression Association noted that the ongoing throttling is part of a broader pattern of censorship targeting digital platforms. Over recent years, internet slowdowns and blockages have become common whenever politically sensitive events unfold, leaving many citizens dependent on VPN services to stay connected.
Meanwhile, the Access Providers Union, the authority responsible for implementing internet blocking decisions in Turkey, has not issued any official statement on the latest restrictions. The silence has fueled criticism from rights groups and activists who argue that such measures violate basic freedoms of expression and information.
The restrictions are expected to intensify political tensions as the opposition continues to push for mass gatherings in Istanbul. With communication platforms under tight control, many fear that transparency and free speech will remain under severe pressure in the coming days.