Turkish Ministry denies plans to block Facebook, Twitter

PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's Transportation, Maritime and Communication Ministry denied reports that it was preparing to make arrangements that would enable the body to block access to Facebook and Twitter in the event of a "threat to public safety.”

According to Hurriyet Daily News, Olcay Aydilek of daily Habertürk reported earlier that Transportation Minister Binali Yıldırım said social media could "provoke great masses," and that it was a "threat."

Yıldırım denied the reports, saying, "No such work exists to seek blocking access to social media."

Habertürk's report alleged that the drafts prepared for the ministry showed that the social media acted as a "catalyst" that fueled ethnic and religious confrontations at times of crisis, especially after attacks by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The report said the ministry sought to block access to Facebook or Twitter in order to ensure public safety. The block would be momentary or last only a few hours, the report said.

There are 31 million Facebook users and 9 million Twitter users in Turkey.