Access Blocked for 15 Social Media Accounts Promoting Illegal Betting and Gambling
Ankara, January 18 – The Turkish Ministry of Trade has announced that access has been blocked for 15 social media accounts with high follower counts that were found to be promoting illegal betting and gambling. The decision was made during the Advertising Board’s meeting on January 13, where illegal betting and gambling advertisements were a primary agenda item.
In a written statement from the Ministry, it was highlighted that “as a result of the evaluations made by the Advertising Board, it was decided to implement an access blocking measure against 15 high-follower social media accounts identified as promoting illegal betting and gambling and directing consumers to various illegal sites.” The statement further noted that “it was also decided to make the necessary applications to relevant institutions for initiating judicial investigation processes against the social media accounts and the parties involved in illegal betting and gambling sites.”
Access Blocked for Fortune Teller, Medium, and Astrologer Advertisements
Another significant issue on the Board’s agenda was advertising and promotional activities related to services offered by fortune tellers, mediums, and astrologers. In this context, “it was decided to implement an access blocking measure for 26 websites identified as engaging in advertising activities related to services offered by fortune tellers, mediums, astrologers, and similar individuals.”
The Ministry of Trade reiterated its commitment to protecting consumer rights and actively combating illegal advertising activities. “As the Ministry of Trade, our efforts and inspections will continue uninterruptedly to protect consumer rights, effectively and decisively combat illegal advertising activities, keep society, especially the younger generation, away from such harmful effects, and prevent the exploitation of consumers’ fears and superstitions,” the statement concluded. (DHA)
