After Nepal, Turkey temporarily bans ​​YouTube, X, Instagram and WhatsApp

The Turkish government has temporarily restricted access to social media platforms, according to Netblocks, a global internet monitor.

The country has reportedly suspended access to sites including YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and WhatsApp, following clashes between police and opposition supporters in Istanbul.

Netblocks said the access blockage came as the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) called for rallies after police set up barricades in areas around the party's headquarters in Istanbul.

According to data from Turkiye's Freedom of Expression Association, which monitors local censorship on the internet, the access problems began at 2045 GMT on Sunday (August 7, 2025), with bandwidth being throttled for the platforms.

Turkiye's Access Providers Union, responsible for implementing internet blocking decisions, did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the access restrictions.