25+ VPN Services Face Disruptions Across Turkey Following Instagram Ban

• Following censorship accusations, Instagram was blocked on Aug 2nd.
• Turkish authorities are now focusing on VPNs, disrupting their operation.
• Some of the affected VPNs are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark.

Turkish authorities have reportedly decided to make it harder for citizens to use VPN services following the decision to block access to Instagram on August 2nd. One of the world’s biggest social media apps was blocked without a concrete reason. Still, many speculate that the reason lies behind Instagram’s restrictions on posting messages of condolence for the recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

The only message regarding the ban was from the Turkish Information Technologies and Communication Authority (BTK), which noted the following: "Instagram.com has been blocked by the decision dated 02/08/2024 and numbered 490.05.01.2024.-608903 of Information and Communications Technology Authority."

Following the ban on Instagram, Proton VPN’s Censorship Observatory reported that the number of sign-ups from Turkey increased by 4,500%. This was a clear indication that web users in Turkey have been turning to VPNs to unblock social media apps. Now, the Istanbul-based Freedom of Expression Association (IFÖD) reports that 27 VPN services are facing disruptions across the country.

The list of the disrupted VPNs includes some of the most widely used VPNs in Turkey, such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost VPN, and Private Internet Access. Some of those providers have noted that while a certain number of people haven’t been able to connect from Turkey recently, widespread disruptions are yet to be seen.

If you live in Turkey, your best bet is to use the Tor Browser to communicate with your VPN provider’s support if you can’t connect. And if you plan on traveling to the country, we recommend installing your chosen VPN app in advance. Of course, it’s also recommended to use a high-end protocol like OpenVPN or WireGuard. Lastly, pick an obfuscated server if your VPN offers that option.