Turkey mulls criminalizing social media users sharing ‘illegal content’

The Turkish parliament is mulling another article in an omnibus bill which could criminalize social media users who share content subject to a legal complaint, the local Hurriyet Daily reported Tuesday.

If approved, the article would allow Turkey’s Telecommunications Directorate (TİB) to remove or block Internet content to “protect national security and public order.”

As part of the article, users who share such content will also be punished.

The news comes after the Turkish parliament on March 20 approved another key article in the omnibus bill, which gives power to the prime minister and other ministers to shut down websites within four hours.

It was approved after a similar bill was rejected by the Constitutional Court six months ago.

It is also a continuation of the parliament approving 13 more articles in the omnibus bill on March 12.

One controversial bill which was approved also gave ministers the power to order the removal or blocking of an online publication in the name of “defending the right to live, securing property, ensuring national security and public order, preventing crime, or protecting public health.”