Turkish Twitter ban denounced as ‘digital coup’

Turkey’s ban on Twitter ahead of bitterly contested elections sparked public fury over a “digital coup” yesterday, brought international condemnation and triggered a rift between prime minister and president.

Courts blocked access to Twitter after prime minister Tayyip Erdogan’s defiant vow, on the campaign trail on Thursday ahead of March 30 local polls, to “wipe out” the social media service, whatever the international community had to say about it.

Industry Minister Fikri Isik said talks with Twitter were ongoing and the ban would be lifted if the San Francisco-based firm appointed a representative in Turkey and agreed to block specific content when requested by Turkish courts.