Researcher describes blocking of LGBTQ accounts in Turkey at authorities’ request

On October 23, 2026, Helin Unal, a researcher at the US Foundation for Defense of Democracies, wrote in The Cipher Brief that social platforms comply with Turkish blocking orders affecting accounts including those of LGBTQ organisations. 76Crimes republished her commentary on October 27.

According to a joint statement by Human Rights Watch and other organisations, Turkey’s Freedom of Expression Association documented orders by authorities and courts to block at least 1,270 X accounts in September alone. The groups estimate that X withheld at least 90% within Turkey. The total includes accounts beyond LGBTQ pages.

The groups identify LGBTQ organisation Kaos GL, journalists and media among those affected, and report restrictions on some organisations’ Instagram and Facebook accounts. They say the order blocking the T24 website and its X account cited public order and alleged its reporting threatened the family structure.

Unal argues that platforms’ compliance restricts access to information and encourages self-censorship. Rights groups asked companies to challenge unjustified orders and give users the documents. In August, X said it was challenging a Turkish court order concerning politician Ekrem İmamoğlu’s campaign account while complying because refusal could lead to restrictions on the entire platform, Associated Press reported. X’s general policy says access may be withheld in a particular country under a legal demand or local law.

Uránia previously reported on a Turkish campaign for imprisoned LGBTQ activists supporting journalists’ protests against censorship.