Turkey Restricts Multiple Social Media Platforms Amid Opposition Rallies

Access to major social media platforms including X, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp has been restricted in Turkey amid rising political tensions. The restrictions began late Sunday, coinciding with the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) calling for rallies in Istanbul after police erected barricades near its headquarters. According to Turkey's Freedom of Expression Association and global internet monitor Netblocks, bandwidth throttling and access blockages have been observed across multiple networks nationwide. The CHP has faced a months-long legal crackdown targeting its members, including Istanbul's mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, which has sparked significant protests. The party denies allegations of wrongdoing, calling the measures politically motivated attempts to weaken the opposition ahead of elections. Turkey's Access Providers Union, responsible for implementing internet blocks, has not provided any comment regarding the restrictions.