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Global Petition Platform Change.org Blocked in Turkey
๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท Turkey /Culture & Society

Global Petition Platform Change.org Blocked in Turkey

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • The global petition platform Change.org has been blocked from access in Turkey.
  • The decision was made by the Kula Peace Criminal Court, according to the Association for Freedom of Expression (ฤฐFร–D).
  • This action prevents users within Turkey from initiating or supporting online signature campaigns on the platform.

The popular global petition platform Change.org is now inaccessible in Turkey, a move that has drawn immediate concern from digital rights advocates. The Association for Freedom of Expression (ฤฐFร–D), through its EngelliWeb platform, announced the block, citing a decision by the Kula Peace Criminal Court.

According to official records from Turkey's Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), the ban stems from a court order dated June 17, 2026. The specific legal grounds for the Kula court's decision remain unclear, but the outcome is a complete restriction of access to Change.org for users within Turkey's borders.

Change.org has served as a vital tool for individuals and NGOs in Turkey, enabling them to raise awareness and mobilize support for a wide range of social issues, including environmental protection, justice, human rights, and animal welfare. The platform's accessibility has been crucial for public discourse and advocacy, making its blocking a significant development for civil society engagement in the country.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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