Access to Ekşi Sözlük Restricted Again Over National Security and Public Order Concerns
In a recurring pattern, access to the social media platform Ekşi Sözlük has been blocked once more, citing reasons related to the “protection of national security and public order.” This move comes after a previous ban on February 25, which was subsequently lifted by the court following an objection. However, before the platform could fully resume operations, it faced yet another access restriction.
In response to the bans, the management of Ekşi Sözlük migrated the site to alternative domain names. The initial replacement, “eksisozluk2023.com,” was subjected to an access block on May 13.
Ekşi Sözlük’s official statement on the court decision conveyed limited details, stating, “We do not have information about the details; we are trying to obtain information from the authorities. We will share information as we receive it,” offering followers assurance of updates.
Recent controversies include a member’s attempt to address and express dissatisfaction with “baby abuse” images received from another member. The platform allegedly blocked her after she sought to create a discussion on Ekşi Sözlük regarding the issue.
Ekşi Sözlük responded by asserting that they had detected the sharing of child pornography images on the platform and clarified that they could only intervene upon receiving complaints. The statement emphasized the prompt removal of content with such disturbing material and the initiation of criminal complaints.
The history of access blocks to Ekşi Sözlük’s domain names reveals a recurring cycle:
February 21, 2023: The domain name eskisozluk.com faced an access block based on a decision by the Information Technologies and Communication Authority, citing national security and public order concerns.
February 22, 2023: The Ankara 4th Criminal Court of Peace approved the access block imposed by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority.
March 2, 2023: Following an objection, Ekşi Sözlük was unblocked by an additional decision of the Ankara 4th Criminal Court of Peace.
March 2, 2023: Access was blocked again after an objection to the decision to lift the access block, as per the decision of the Ankara 5th Criminal Court of Peace.
May 13, 2023: The domain name eskisozluk2023.com was blocked by the decision of the Ankara 6th Criminal Court of Peace, citing national security and public order.
May 15, 2023: The domain name eskisozluk42.com faced an access block by the decision of the Ankara 8th Criminal Court of Peace, citing national security and public order concerns.