The court order blocking access to the X and Instagram accounts of associations and platforms sharing LGBTI+ rights content has been obtained. The ruling cites the Istanbul Police’s “cyber patrol” activities and investigations carried out “to protect the family and children” as the grounds for the decision.

The authority granting police officers the power to conduct “cyber patrol” activities was introduced in 2017 through an amendment to Law No. 2559 on the Duties and Powers of the Police. The amendment authorized police to access the identity information of internet subscribers and conduct online investigations in order to identify the competent Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in cases involving crimes committed online.

However, the provision was challenged before the Constitutional Court on the grounds that it violated the Constitution. In its decision dated 19 February 2020, the Constitutional Court annulled the provision, ruling that allowing police to conduct general “cyber patrol” activities on the internet was unconstitutional.

In its judgment, the Court emphasized that the regulation was incompatible with the requirements of a democratic society, that personal data is protected under the Constitution, and that police may only conduct investigations into specific individuals upon the instruction of a public prosecutor.