26.3.2016
Information Technologies and Communication Authority President Ömer Fatih Sayan, in his statement regarding Facebook's closure of the social media account belonging to Yeni Şafak Newspaper without providing any reason, requested that Facebook authorities review their decision again and immediately put an end to the aforementioned account closure practice.
Facebook, which still does not have a representation in Turkey, generates millions of liras in revenue each year from users in our country but does not pay taxes, has created an environment of distrust towards social media sites for users with this completely arbitrary practice without any explanation. Many complaints have been received on this matter. The internet environment is not an area without law. Protecting freedom of communication is one of the most fundamental rights.
"I find it unacceptable that Facebook closed the social media account of Yeni Şafak Newspaper, which has millions of followers, without providing any reason. As a result of the regulations implemented in our country and the investments made in internet infrastructure, social media usage has reached the top levels in the world along with the increase in broadband internet usage. Companies reaching their users through this infrastructure must also respect the rights of their users and avoid arbitrary practices.
This practice against Yeni Şafak Newspaper, one of our country's leading media outlets, without any legal basis, has also violated the rights of people following the account and obtaining information from it. Facebook, which still does not have a representation in Turkey, generates millions of liras in revenue each year from users in our country but does not pay taxes, has created an environment of distrust towards social media sites for users with this completely arbitrary practice without any explanation. Many complaints have been received on this matter. The internet environment is not an area without law. Protecting freedom of communication is one of the most fundamental rights.
There is no explanation for this right being exercised in a completely arbitrary manner without any judicial decision. In this regard, I wish that Facebook authorities review their decision again, avoid such and similar attitudes that restrict the freedom of communication, one of the fundamental human rights, and immediately put an end to the aforementioned account closure practice.