With new censorship legislation coming into effect in 2022, Turkey is on a dark path towards growing oppression. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of websites, social media apps and news outlets have been blocked. Moreover, in times of political unrest, the Turkish authorities have been found to instigate national blackouts. If you’re located in Turkey and looking for ways to bypass censorship, a VPN is your best bet. We recommend NordVPN for its excellent security and obfuscation technology that hides your VPN use. Want to get around internet restrictions and censorship in Turkey? In this article, we take a closer look at censorship practices in Turkey and how to get around them.
Turkey: The State of Censorship
International watchdog Freedom House categorizes Turkey as “not free” on its Freedom of the Net index. The Committee to Project Journalists recognizes Turkey as one of the worst jailers of reporters in the world. There’s some space for public debate — unlike in Russia or North Korea — but it’s narrow. In theory, freedom of expression is honored in Turkey. Reality, however, paints a different picture.
In February 2023, Turkey and Syria were struck by catastrophic earthquakes. Social media blackouts compromised the free flow of information, as well as rescue efforts. Turkish authorities have arrested citizens for “provocative posts” regarding the crisis. Internet censorship has also increased significantly. Over 100,000 websites have been permanently or repeatedly blocked, including YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Wikipedia, and WhatsApp. In 2022, new censorship legislation came into effect, giving the government even more control. Over the course of 2022, the number of journalists jailed in Turkey has more than doubled. In 2016, a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces attempted a coup. In response, the government declared a State of Emergency and used it to crack down on media freedom, human rights, and democratic rule.
Do you or someone you know need to circumvent censorship in Turkey? We highlight different ways to safely circumvent censorship in Turkey and other restrictive countries.
Media freedom in Turkey
Since the beginning of its rule in 2002, the AKP (Justice and Development Party), has worked to expand its control of the Turkish media. While some independent outlets still operate, they face enormous state pressure, intimidation, and persecution. Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s rule, many impartial media outlets have been taken over or closed down. Over the years, the AKP has also bought out mainstream media outlets and turned them into government mouthpieces. Today, what are known as Yandaş Medya (“Partisan Media”) and Havuz Medyası (“Pool Media”) are employed by the Turkish government as vessels for propaganda. Their aim is to support the AKP and President Erdoğan at whatever cost. The Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) is largely under government control, as well. Journalists aren’t free to report as they please, and the Turkish authorities have no qualms about putting reporters behind bars. Behind Iran, China, and Myanmar, Turkey is currently the fourth most prolific jailer of reporters in the world.
Internet censorship in Turkey
After the attempted 2016 coup d’état, the Turkish government has been heavily restricting internet use. Internet censorship ranges from regional internet shutdowns and banned social media platforms to restrictions on circumvention tools such as VPNs and the Tor browser. There’s a high level of surveillance and personal communications are often monitored. Internet service providers (ISPs) may be ordered to employ bandwidth throttling. Over the years, Turkey has banned over 130 social media platforms and thousands of other websites. Popular websites such as Wikipedia, Blogspot, and WordPress have been banned. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram face a lot of restrictions, as do file-sharing tools such as Google Drive and Dropbox. When it comes to content, any websites that can be considered “a threat to state security” may be blocked. This includes any insult to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, seen as the founding father of modern Turkey. News about the Kurdish-Turkish conflict is also off-limits. Globally, Turkey is known for its high number of content removal requests. It is one of five countries (along with Japan, Russia, India, and South Korea) that is responsible for 95% of the total volume of content removal requests.
Turkey’s Disinformation Law of 2022
On October 13, 2022, despite protests and international critique, a new set of censorship legislation passed through the Grand National Assembly of the Turkish Parliament. The legislative package is made up of 40 articles that amend several existing laws, including the Internet Law, the Turkish Penal Code, and the Press Law. It is specifically designed to criminalize the spread of misinformation and consists of a few key elements:
“Disseminating false information” is made a criminal offense. Anyone who spreads information “that is inaccurate” or may “disrupt Turkey’s domestic and external security” can face up to five years in prison. This applies to traditional press and social media platforms. The government-controlled Information and Communication Technologies Authority receives more power to regulate the internet. Social media companies must comply with content take-down and user data retention requests. Companies that fail to comply face serious sanctions.
The legislation has been adopted months before the Turkish 2023 presidential and parliamentary elections in June. Internationally, this has raised suspicions that the AKP might use the updated censorship laws to stifle opposition parties. Already, the Turkish judiciary operates under strong political influence. The deliberately vague parameters of “false information” put many organizations, journalists, and human rights activists at risk. Who decides what constitutes disinformation? With these changes, Turkish prosecutors will gain an even bigger mandate to control the flow of information.
Consequences for big tech
A key element of the 2022 disinformation law, is the amends it makes to the Electronic Communications Law. Social media platforms may be blocked at will, something we’ve already seen in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes in February 2023. On top of that, big tech companies may now be forced to hand over user data to the authorities upon request. Should companies fail to comply with the new regulations, they can be denied complete access, face up to 95% internet bandwidth throttling, or be forced to pay high fines.
Why Does Turkey Censor the Internet?
In the past decade, Turkey has been experiencing growing political, social, and economic upheaval. Censorship is almost always used as a tool of oppression and control. Publicly, Turkey’s justification is protecting national security and pushing back against “terrorist activity.” In reality, however, there is more to it. The Turkish government has several reasons for imposing censorship, some more overt than others.
Propaganda. By increasing their control over mainstream media outlets, Turkish authorities are able to spread pro-government information and limit anything that might destabilize this narrative. Influence flow of information. The Turkish government has claimed that “misinformation” on social media platforms is rampant and that citizens should only rely on government-issued information. In 2021, the verification platform “Is It Real?” was launched. This platform is government-sponsored and promotes pro-government framing of current affairs. Weaken critics and opposition. The AKP uses online “troll armies” to share social media posts, manipulate discussions, and strengthen particular online narratives. Over 6,000 individuals are tasked with manipulating information online and weaken the position of government critics.
By restricting freedom of speech, the Turkish government attempts to weed out any political dissent. With elections right around the corner, the 2022 Disinformation Law is clearly designed to limit political diversity. Even so, political polarization is growing and opposition parties are gaining more support.
Self-censorship
As a result of Turkey’s growing censorship practices, people have become more fearful of prosecution. It’s unsurprising, then, that self-censorship has also increased. It can be dangerous to share social media posts on sensitive topics. Organizations and NGOs that advocate for immigration rights, for example, have been forced to avoid issuing statements. Individual users, too, can’t speak their minds freely. People belonging to certain minority groups face widespread discrimination. This pertains, in particular, to ethnic and religious minorities and the LGBTQ+ community.
What Content is Censored in Turkey?
Censorship is exercised on multiple levels. While Turkey, generally speaking, has a high internet penetration rate (82% in early 2022), people experience censorship on a daily basis. The following categories of content are banned or heavily restricted.
Political and religious criticism
Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code criminalizes defamation against public government officials and insult of the President, national anthem, flag, and the institutions and organs of the state. Article 299 imposes a prison sentence of up to four years for insulting the President. As a result of these strict defamation laws, many websites and media outlets have been blocked for critical content, including mainstream media. For a long period, Wikipedia was permanently blocked in Turkey, after refusing to remove articles on Syria and state-sponsored terrorism that were deemed to be critical of the Turkish state. In January 2020, the block was finally lifted. The same cannot be said for other sites. Ever since a deliberate leak of government emails by the hacker group Redhack in 2016, access to file-sharing services is regularly restricted, including Dropbox, OneDrive, GitHub, and Google Drive. Websites that show any type of support or sympathy for the Kurdish population or the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) are often blacklisted. Two directors, Çayan Demirel and Ertuğrul Mavioğlu, have been in prison for almost five years for making Bakur, a documentary about Kurdish militants. In June 2022, film editor Erhan Örs was jailed on “terrorist” charges that pertain to a film he edited for a human rights organization. Religious criticism is also targeted by censorship. As in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, Turkey censors certain websites for criticizing or demeaning Islam, Islamic figures, or promoting atheism. Websites advocating evolutionary theory, for example, have been found to be actively filtered.
Obscene or taboo content
90% of all websites blacklisted by the BTK are listed as “obscene.” This means they feature sexual content, pornography, or LGBTQ+ content. In August 2021, an LGBTQ+ dating app called Hornet was removed from the App Store in Turkey. Gambling is also illegal in Turkey. More than 200 online gambling platforms were blocked between September 2020 and January 2021. Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Periscope are also routinely throttled or blocked. Social media posts will be deleted and critical individuals are targeted personally. In 2022, the art-house thriller Kurak Günler was targeted by conservative and pro-government media and subjected to a smear campaign that called it an “LGBT propaganda film.” In response to the controversy, the Culture Ministry demanded back its funding.
How Does the Turkish Government Censor the Internet?
Censorship can take different shapes. Turkey’s legal framework allows for excessive government oppression.
Regulations and laws
As stated before, the 2016 State of Emergency gave the Turkish government extraordinary powers to bypass parliamentary and constitutional checks. Various executive decrees were issued to block websites, shut down communication networks, and allow for 50,000 arrests. According to the Law on Digital Communications, the government has the power to take “any necessary measures” to block websites, restrict internet access and censor media in relation to “national security, public order, prevention of crime, protection of public health and public morals, or protection of the rights and freedoms.” Article 7 of the Anti-Terrorism law state that anyone who makes “propaganda of a terrorist organization by justifying or praising or inciting the terrorist organizations” can be imprisoned for up to five years. In the most recent legal changes, the Press Law (originally aimed at mainstream media) now applies to online news sites as well. This has several consequences. In the first place, online media now have to display contact information on their main page to be served with legal notifications. Content needs to be stored for two years. Moreover, online sites need to comply with government demands to run corrections.
Restrictions on internet connectivity
Internet service providers often play a key role in censorship. The backbone of Turkey’s internet infrastructure is provided by the internet service provider TTNET, a subsidiary of Türk Telekom. Turkey’s Under-Secretariat of Treasury owns 30% of Türk Telekom’s shares, which gives them significant control over the country’s largest internet provider. In times of unrest, bandwidth throttling is used to deny Turkish citizens access to the internet. In 2016, a shutdown of mobile and internet services affected over 12 million residents for a period of six hours. One month later, a similar blackout suspended mobile and landline internet access for another 6 million citizens. On top of that, online news sites and social media platforms are selectively throttled. This is done to stop information from spreading. Access to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and WhatsApp was throttled or blocked entirely during the Istanbul Atatürk Airport terrorist attack, the 2016 coup attempt, the 2016 Gaziantep bombing, and the assassination of Russian ambassador Andrey Karlov. In 2023, we’ve seen similar social media disruptions during the February earthquakes.
Content removal
The Turkish government proactively filters content and has blocked access to over 100,000 websites over the years. By using deep packet inspection (DPI), ISPs analyze unencrypted internet traffic. Data can be blocked and re-routed. This means the Turkish government, via ISPs, can block users from accessing blacklisted content. Turkey’s Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) requires all ISPs to register for a certificate of activity before providing connection services. As part of this registration, ISPs are obliged to comply fully with government restrictions. The BTK can fine ISPs up to 300.000 liras (approximately 15.800 USD) for noncompliance. Most of the time, the charges for blocking content are very opaque. Since blocking orders are issued by ISPs themselves rather than by courts, it can be difficult for site owners to determine why their platform is blocked or appeal the decision.
Surveillance and monitoring of user activity
Another weapon in Turkey’s censorship arsenal is surveillance. Since 2014, the National Intelligence Organization has had significant power to access communications data without the need for a court order. ISPs are required to store internal IP distribution logs using software supplied by the BTK. These logs must be kept for one year and are available to the BTK upon request. As a result, there have been numerous cases of individuals being arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned for making “anti-government” statements or propagating “terrorist propaganda.” With the new censorship law, social media platforms also have to hand over user data pertaining to users that “disseminate disinformation.” Since there’s little to no judicial oversight, the BTK can operate however they see fit. In 2022, a thorough media investigation into the BTK showed that the Authority had been collecting private user data for over a year.
How to Get Around Internet Censorship
More and more Turkish citizens are looking for ways to circumvent government restrictions, especially in light of the new legislation and the current political unrest. If you’re located in Turkey, there are several ways you can bypass internet censorship and get access to independent news and social media platforms. If you’ve been trying to get around censorship in Turkey in the aftermath of the February earthquakes, you may find that certain approaches, such as changing your DNS settings, don’t work at the moment. Below, we outline the safest ways to get around censorship, even in times of crisis.
1. Use a VPN
The safest and most efficient way to get around censorship is to use a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN creates a secure tunnel between your device and the internet that encrypts your data and allows you to access the web via a VPN server located in a different country — one where the websites or apps you’re trying to reach are actually accessible. Are VPNs legal in Turkey? Yes, they are. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the BTK has actively restricted access to popular VPN services. As such, it can be difficult to find a working VPN. Since 2011, all suppliers of encryption software (including secure email services) have been required to provide their encryption keys to the BTK before they can offer products to Turkish citizens. Nevertheless, the best VPNs have been designed to work in high-censorship regions. If you use a VPN with obfuscation technology, your VPN traffic will be disguised as regular HTTPS traffic. This makes it way more difficult for government authorities to intercept your VPN use. Below, we discuss which VPNs actually work in Turkey and are safe enough to use.
2. Use the Tor browser
Another way to get around censorship is by using The Onion Router (Tor), also known as the dark web browser. Tor uses many layers of encryption to anonymize your data. It’s a bit slower, which makes it difficult to use when bandwidth is already being throttled. However, it’s a very secure way to browse the internet and get access to blocked content. The Onion Router keeps your online activity properly hidden from prying eyes.
3. Use browser extensions
Finally, there are certain browser extensions that can help you get access to restricted content. They work especially well for social media posts since they are designed for dynamic content. Some examples include:
UltraSurf (Chrome) ZenMate (Chrome) Censor Tracker (Firefox)
Still, the safest way to get back online is using a VPN.
The Best VPNs to Use in Turkey
If you’re going to use a VPN in Turkey, it’s important to keep the following guidelines in mind. You’ll always want a VPN with top-notch security, which means robust encryption, an automatic kill switch, and obfuscation. Moreover, it’s essential that your VPN won’t be able to hand over any of your data to the Turkish authorities. A verified no-log VPN is the way to go. For Turkey, the following three VPNs are the safest to use.
1. NordVPN: The overall best VPN for Turkey
NordVPN is our number one recommendation for users in Turkey. This top-performing VPN has many excellent security features and comes at a very affordable price. Most importantly, NordVPN has 14 local Turkey servers. This means you’ll have access to local as well as international content. In terms of security, you can trust that your data is safe with NordVPN. The provider doesn’t keep any logs and has been verified by independent auditors many times. With AES 256-bit encryption and robust VPN protocols, including OpenVPN and NordLynx (based on Wireguard), your online activity is well-protected. For people in Turkey, it’s great to know that NordVPN offers obfuscated servers. NordVPN uses the same Deep Packet Inspection tech that Tor uses. A great bonus is that Nord also allows users to multi-hop servers with their Double VPN feature. This means you can run your connection via two VPN servers. NordVPN even has dedicated Tor and P2P servers. NordVPN is an all-around VPN that’s easy to use and is certainly worth the investment. If you’d like to try this VPN out for yourself, click the button below. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test the service commitment-free.
2. Surfshark: Avoid censorship in Turkey on unlimited devices
If you’re looking for a Turkey VPN that your entire family can use, Surfshark is your best option. This VPN allows for unlimited simultaneous connections and is very affordable, though not at the expense of its excellent security features. With military-grade encryption and a large server network (including 8 Turkey servers!), you can safely unblock content from around the world. What’s more, Surfshark has a special NoBorders mode for regions that experience a lot of censorship. Surfshark also has a clear no-logs policy and lots of extra features, including an automatic kill switch, an ad-blocker, and a Camouflage Mode that stops your ISP from noticing that you’re using a VPN. Because Surfshark uses a RAM-only server network, no data gets stored on any hard drives. This provides excellent protection against government surveillance and monitoring. You won’t have to worry about the Turkish authorities getting their hands on your private data. Interested? Try Surfshark out for yourself by clicking the button below. It’s also possible to get a free trial.
3. ExpressVPN: Expensive, but a reliable and secure VPN
ExpressVPN is a great VPN when it comes to privacy and security. While they are more on the expensive side, this provider has made quite the name for itself in the VPN industry. In disruptive regions, ExpressVPN is often found to work reliably and continues to be up and running. You get access to over 3,000 servers in 94 countries. This makes getting around censorship very easy. What’s great, is that ExpressVPN also has local VPN servers in Turkey to give you access to domestic content and keep you safe online. The provider has a clear no-log policy and has tons of features, including a special Threat Manager, a split-tunneling option, and obfuscated servers, which you need to get online in Turkey. Finally, ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs. You can check it out by clicking on the button below. Like NordVPN and Surfshark, ExpressVPN also has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Can’t Access a Premium VPN Website? Try This!
In regions with a lot of unrest, such as Turkey, you may find the websites of popular VPN providers inaccessible. In that case, there are a few things you can try:
Use a free VPN to install a premium VPN. Smaller VPN providers with fewer users are less often blocked by authorities. If access to NordVPN or Surfshark is blocked, the best thing to do is download a safe, free VPN that is accessible in Turkey. You can then use this VPN to connect to a server in a country that doesn’t block premium VPNs. After that, you can stop using the free VPN. The Opera browser. The Opera browser has a built-in VPN. You can use this as a work-around to navigate to the website of the VPN provider you want. Use an alternative app store. Finally, if you can’t download a VPN via the Google Play Store or App Store, you can use an alternative. The TutuApp is an alternative for the App Store that has VPNs like NordVPN available for download. Android users can use AppBrain.
For any of these options, make sure that you only download trusted software and switch to a premium VPN when you can.
Conclusion: Safely Bypass Censorship in Turkey
Freedom of the press and freedom of expression are both under threat in Turkey. It’s become increasingly difficult to access the internet. With the 2022 censorship law, which gives even more power to the state, Turkey seems to be on a dark trajectory toward even more oppression. For citizens, media rights activists, and journalists, having access to an open internet is essential. Against threats of imprisonment and prosecution, people in Turkey continue to bravely speak out, especially in times of political unrest. A VPN is a key instrument in getting access to blocked content and protecting private user data from surveillance. The best VPNs for Turkey are:
NordVPN Surfshark ExpressVPN
Since Turkey is actively pushing back against the use of encryption tools, major VPN websites may be blocked. In that case, it can be smart to use a free VPN in order to download a premium one. There are also other ways to get around internet censorship. With censorship on a steep incline, staying safe online is more important than ever.
