What is an access-blocking order?
An access-blocking order (erişimin engellenmesi kararı) is a decision under Law No. 5651 on the Regulation of Internet Publications that prevents users in Türkiye from reaching specific content, by blocking a URL, an IP address, a domain name or by similar methods. Access providers implement it. The content itself stays on the server: it remains reachable from abroad, through archives or mirror pages, and often through VPN services. Deleting the content at its source is a different remedy, content removal.
Which routes exist today?
- Article 8: sufficient suspicion of listed crimes (for example child sexual abuse, obscenity, illegal gambling and betting, crimes against Atatürk). Decided by a judge, a court or, where delay is harmful, the prosecutor subject to judicial approval.
- Article 8/A: protection of the right to life, security of life and property, national security, public order, prevention of crime and public health, where delay is harmful.
- Article 9/A: violation of the privacy of private life. The application goes to the Presidency, is implemented within four hours and must be brought before a criminal judgeship of peace within 24 hours, which decides within 48 hours.
- Article 9 (no longer available): the general route for personal rights such as honour and reputation was annulled by the Constitutional Court (E. 2020/76, K. 2023/172), with effect from 10 October 2024. No replacement has been enacted as of November 2026.
Since Law No. 7590 (Official Gazette 31 July 2026, No. 33326), the authority under Law No. 5651 is the Cybersecurity Presidency (Siber Güvenlik Başkanlığı), not the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK). Blocking is to be applied at URL level where possible; whole-site blocking is a last resort when URL blocking is technically impossible or ineffective.
What it means in practice
For a company or person facing defamatory but non-criminal content, an access-blocking order is now rarely the first tool. The usual route runs through notice to the content and hosting provider, platform applications (large social networks must answer within 48 hours under Additional Article 4) and, where needed, a civil action under Articles 24 and 25 of the Turkish Civil Code. We explain the order of steps in our article on content removal and access blocking after 2024 and the platform side in our article on platform liability.
Does an access-blocking order remove content worldwide?
No. It only restricts access from Türkiye. Foreign platforms usually respond to a Turkish order by withholding the content in Türkiye, not by deleting it globally; see content on foreign platforms.
Can I still obtain an access-blocking order for an insulting article?
Not under Article 9, which no longer exists. If the content also violates privacy, Article 9/A may apply; if it amounts to a listed crime, Article 8. Otherwise removal is pursued through the civil courts.
Sources. Law No. 5651, Articles 2, 8, 8/A, 9, 9/A and Additional Article 4; Constitutional Court decision E. 2020/76, K. 2023/172 (11.10.2023; Official Gazette 10.1.2024, No. 32425); Law No. 7590 (Official Gazette 31.7.2026, No. 33326). Official Turkish texts.