On August 2nd, 2024, millions of Instagram users in Turkey were greeted with a shocking surprise: their feeds would not refresh. The platform had been blocked by Turkish authorities, leaving users unable to access new content or share updates. This sudden blackout followed accusations that Instagram had censored condolence posts related to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader, in Tehran. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu announced that the ban was due to Instagram's failure to comply with Turkey's laws and public sensitivities. President Erdoğan further criticized the platform, labeling its actions as 'digital fascism' and accusing it of bias against Palestinian martyrs. The move sparked widespread concern about freedom of expression and the future of social media in Turkey. As users scrambled for alternative ways to connect, the ban highlighted the ongoing tension between government control and digital freedom. Let’s discuss it!