Social Networks

Twitter restricted in Turkey after the earthquake amid disinformation fear

Global internet monitor NetBlocks reported that Twitter has been restricted in Turkey in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Global internet monitor NetBlocks reported that network data confirm that Twitter has been restricted in Turkey in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The data show that multiple internet providers in Turkey blocked the popular platform as of Wednesday 8 February 2023. TurkTelekom and Turkcell have completely blocked access to Twitter, while Vodafone still allows slower access to Twitter, reported the Balkaninsight website. NetBlocks metrics confirm that the social network Twitter has been restricted by “means of SNI filtering on major internet providers.”

The decision of the government to block Twitter followed growing public anger towards the Turkish government’s response to the devastating earthquakes.

Turkish authorities raise concerns over disinformation online that can destabilize the political contest in the country while responding to this emergency.

“Network data confirm the restriction of Twitter on multiple internet providers in Turkey as of Wednesday 8 February 2023.” reported Netblocks. “Service was restored the next morning after state media reported that Turkish authorities had held a meeting with Twitter’s head of policy on disinformation and the need for content takedowns.”

However, the use of VPN services can be used by people in the country to circumvent internet censorship measures. Twitter remains a crucial source of information for relatives of victims, survivors, and rescuers.

It is important to highlight that natural disasters usually have a significant impact on internet connectivity. NetBlocks reported similar problems in Turkey after the earthquake as reported the by following tweet from the organization:

The use of internet filtering in the aftermath of an earthquake is absurd, because of its impact on the population that is facing a tragic situation.

This isn’t the first time that the government restricted access to social media following events like terror attacks and protests.

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Turkey)

Pierluigi Paganini

Pierluigi Paganini is member of the ENISA (European Union Agency for Network and Information Security) Threat Landscape Stakeholder Group and Cyber G7 Group, he is also a Security Evangelist, Security Analyst and Freelance Writer. Editor-in-Chief at "Cyber Defense Magazine", Pierluigi is a cyber security expert with over 20 years experience in the field, he is Certified Ethical Hacker at EC Council in London. The passion for writing and a strong belief that security is founded on sharing and awareness led Pierluigi to find the security blog "Security Affairs" recently named a Top National Security Resource for US. Pierluigi is a member of the "The Hacker News" team and he is a writer for some major publications in the field such as Cyber War Zone, ICTTF, Infosec Island, Infosec Institute, The Hacker News Magazine and for many other Security magazines. Author of the Books "The Deep Dark Web" and “Digital Virtual Currency and Bitcoin”.

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