"We’ll eradicate #Twitter. I don’t care what the international community says. Everyone will witness the power of #Turkey" – PM Erdogan.
— Egyptian Streets (@EgyptianStreets) March 21, 2014
The Turkish government has restricted access to Twitter in most of the country, Reuters reported Thursday. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdoğan, who faces an election March 30, had threatened to shut down Twitter and other forms of social media, such as Facebook and YouTube. “We will wipe out all of these,” he reportedly said at a campaign rally.
Twitter Inc says looking into reports that service has been banned in Turkey
— Reuters India (@ReutersIndia) March 20, 2014
#turkey may have blocked #twitter just days ahead of local elections. When govts blocked info access in past, Protests intensify
— Richard Engel (@RichardEngel) March 20, 2014
Today’s Zaman reported that the Twitter shutdown was the result of a court order.
A statement published by the office of prime ministry later in on the day, clarified on Erdoğan’s remarks and said Turkish officials have no option other than ban Twitter as it ignored Turkish court rulings to remove some links that were shared on social media. The statement said Twitter ignored all warnings from Turkish authorities about court decisions upon complaints and requests of some Turkish citizens who became victims via Twitter posts. Turkey will do everything to not to allow its citizens become victims, the statement said.
The hashtag #TwitterIsBlockedInTurkey took off.
https://twitter.com/darkefes/status/446766344932167680
https://twitter.com/mzgergin/status/446768448514043905
https://twitter.com/Aviva___/status/446767416803332096
Turkish pm Erdogan shut down Twitter.DEMOCRACY IS DEAD NOW IN TURKEY……. #twitterisblockedinturkey
— The Wolf (@TheWolf_111) March 20, 2014
#twitterisblockedinturkey dear twitter management, twitter is no longer in use in Turkey. Please do something before Turkey becomes a prison
— muhAlif beyin (@muhalifbeyin) March 20, 2014
https://twitter.com/NiveusP/status/446769617063911424
This should be heard by EVERYONE in the world… Spread it #twitterisblockedinturkey#saynotocensorship
— can gurses (@canitti) March 20, 2014
just one word, unbelievable. it is mind-blowing. the model democracy in middle east turned out to be north korea! #twitterisblockedinturkey
— Gülsin Harman (@gulsinharman) March 20, 2014
#twitterisblockedinturkey because a dictator wants to remain in the power covering his crimes which include violation,corruption and murder.
— Tuğçe Erçetin (@tugceercetin) March 20, 2014
https://twitter.com/kuyumcuender/status/446775157118750720
#Twitterisblockedinturkey here is a proof declared officially on the government website. pic.twitter.com/bFr0Bd3am6
— Yeşilist (@Yesilist) March 20, 2014
Twitter is being banned in Turkey. Five separate court orders. Freedom is running out slowly? #twitterisblockedinturkey #turkeybannedtwitter
— Duygu Holat (@duyguholat) March 20, 2014
Things are getting really nasty around here.#TurkishGovermentBlockedTwitter #twitterisblockedinturkey pic.twitter.com/vY25h3a5Kv
— Duygu (@duygununkendisi) March 20, 2014
Turkish PM Erdogan first called Twitter menace to society, then threatened to ban. As of this evening #twitterisblockedinturkey
— ozlem koksal (@specterum) March 20, 2014
https://twitter.com/TheBigPharaoh/status/446809190099849216
Didn't last long in Egypt, probably won't last long in Turkey. #TwitterisblockedinTurkey #StupidErdogan
— RebelliousRainbow (@Egyptist) March 21, 2014
#twitterisblockedinturkey Mubarak cut down the internet in Egypt and after 18 days he is gone .. get ready Erdogan 🙂
— الحسام (@Hossam_Mk) March 20, 2014
What the Turkish Prime Minister is now learning is that you simply can't block Twitter. #PeoplePower #TwitterisblockedinTurkey
— Sandra K Eckersley? (@SandraEckersley) March 21, 2014
Thousands are already back on twitter in #Turkey via VPN services! #DictatorErdogan won't succeed! #TwitterisblockedinTurkey
— intuition68 (@intuition68) March 21, 2014
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