Turkey Imposes Fine on Meta for Content Restrictions

Meta has been hit with a significant fine by Turkish authorities over its refusal to comply with government demands to restrict content on Facebook and Instagram.

The company confirmed the penalty in a statement, emphasizing that it rejected requests to limit content that serves the public interest.

While Meta did not disclose the exact amount of the fine, it described it as substantial. The company also refrained from providing further details on the specific content targeted by Turkish authorities.

Meta criticized government actions that restrict online free speech, stating that such demands, along with threats to shut down digital services, pose serious risks to freedom of expression.

The fine follows the Turkish government’s recent crackdown on social media platforms.

After the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19, several social media sites, including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, were reportedly blocked in Turkey.

İmamoğlu, a key opposition figure and a potential challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was detained on charges related to leading a criminal network involved in corruption and bribery.

His arrest has sparked controversy, as he has been a vocal critic of the government and gained widespread support for his electoral successes in recent years.

The Turkish government’s move against Meta underscores growing tensions between global tech companies and state authorities over content regulation and free speech.