Ekşi Sözlük, which was the subject of controversy on the grounds that it spread disinformation on the earthquake agenda, was blocked on the evening of February 21, with the decision of the BTK. Başak Purut, also known as “kanzuk” and the top manager of the platform, made a statement about the sanction imposed.
Information Technologies and Communications Authority (BTK); Ekşi Sözlük is Turkey’s most visited website and largest social media platform. the evening of February 21 It was closed with a sudden decision.
Stating that no warning was shared with them before the access ban sanction, Ekşi Dictionary managementstarted to fight with the judicial authorities and authorities about the issue.
Explanation from Başak Purut, CEO of Ekşi Sözlük:
In the decision published on the BTK website “Access is blocked by the decision of the information technologies and communication institution dated 21/02/2023 and numbered 490.05.01.2023.-100029” explanation was made. Then, from the Ekşi Sözlük account, which was shared on Twitter. “Hello, we have seen that there is a decision on the access blocking, but we do not know the details, we are trying to get information from the authorities. As we get information, we will share it” expressions were used.
Speaking to Ali Deniz Çakır from Mediascope, CEO Başak Purut “The authority of BTK to block access was added later with Article 8/A of Law No. 5651. Based on that article, the BTK can decide to block access without a court decision, but according to the law, this decision to block access must be based on a specific content and should not include the entire site. he said and continued his words as follows:
“They didn’t tell us about the decision, but what we understand is that the decision is based on article 8/A. The decision is also about the entire site. Since we can’t see what content the decision is about, we can’t make any objections, but we can appeal when the decision goes to court.”
“It’s unconstitutional…”
“Removing a site completely from everyone’s access is unconstitutional. It’s not what is seen in the law, because you completely eliminate the function. This is against the European Human Rights, it is against the constitution and the current law.”
“There is a perception operation on social media. In general, the contents with screenshots are removed immediately when we are aware of them. They are trying to create a perception as if we are persistently keeping the contents on the site upon complaint. Were these perception operations carried out to achieve results or to normalize the result? I don’t know if it is, but there is a possibility that these operations were carried out in order to influence public opinion.”
“Not all content can be audited, but we were going to add to our site’s rules about whether some content that will create anger needs confirmation. We thought that there was such a deficiency in the chaotic environment of the earthquake.”
You can share your thoughts about the blocking of Ekşi dictionary and Başak Purut’s explanations in the comments section below: