Internet service providers (ISP) in Turkey have suspended platforms. The cut-off followed the explosion that occurred on İstiklal street, Istanbul. A report from Bleeping Computer states that it has been deemed a terrorist attack. The blast happened around 4:20 PM local time, causing at least 8 deaths and 81 injuries. Among the dead were a father and his 9-year-old daughter, and a mother with her 15-year-old daughter. The explosion was seen on security footage posted on Twitter by Borzou Daragahi, an international correspondent at Independent.
Cutting Off Communications and Media
After the tragic blast, not only were platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Telegram suspended but broadcast media as well. Reports say that a broadcast ban was implemented by Turkey's Radio and Television Supreme Council, which prevented media from spreading news related to the explosion. The inability to access social media apps was confirmed by NetBlocks, upon analyzing the network traffic.
Although, they have announced through Twitter that the restriction has been lifted, and the duration of the suspension was around ten hours. According to NetBlocks, the measure was initially implemented on Turk Telecom, which was Turkey's leading network operator. They went on and covered other major ISPs as well, wherein metrics were taken from 50 vantage points across the country.
This may have been an attempt to prevent the spread of disinformation, since President Erdoğan's proposed law which penalizes spreaders of fake news. This goes for social media users and journalists, who might face three years in prison if found guilty. The law aims to prevent creating fear and disturbance of public order.
The law has not been accepted well. Committee to Project Journalist representative, Ozgur Ogret, said that it affects anyone who can speak, read, and write, which can lead to self-censorship. Sevgi Akarcesme, a Turkish journalist, also expressed that the law's goal was to control social media and that conventional media was under the Turkish president's control.
Read Also : ICYMI, Flight Bound for Turkey Aborted as Passengers Receive Plane Crash Photos in Their Phones
The Aftermath of the Explosion
The Turkish authorities have already found a suspect and arrested a woman on Monday, named Ahlam al-Bashir. Reports from the New York Times say that the bomber was sent to Turkey by Kurdish militants from Syria. Turkey accused the US of being complicit in the explosion, stating that America had a military partnership with the militia in Syria led by the Kurdish.
Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu did not hide his belief in the accusation and said that it was like the killer was among the first ones to return to the scene. He expressed this after the US sent a condolence message to Turkey. The accusation was based on American officials accepting help from the Syrian Democratic Forces since Turkey considers the militia to be a part of the Kurdistan Workers' Party. The said party has been at war with the Turkish state for decades, according to reports.
A State Department spokeswoman released a statement, saying that the US condemns terrorism in all its forms and that they stand with Turkey, seeing as they are a NATO ally. She also expressed her disappointment with the accusation, referring to the comments that suggested the US's complicity with the bombing. She added that the US was ready to help with investigations regarding the attack.
