Internet Activist Group Anonymous Warns Turkish Government About Censorship (Video)

Posted on June 7, 2011 by Action for Freedom — 7 Comments

Anonymous, an internet activist group supporting freedom of expression online, sends a warning to the Turkish Government ahead of a new internet censorship filter planned to be implemented in August 2011.

The Turkish AKP (Justice and Development Party) is scheduled to deploy the internet filter on August 22, 2011. “Harmful elements on the web” possibly affecting the nation’s youth is the apparent reason for the implementation. Widespread censorship is likely to follow according to critics of the proposed filter.

Tuesday, Anonymous said it would take action against “any institutions that apply censorship.” The message video (below) was released and meant as a warning to the Turkish Government.

Anonymous has no leader or controlling party and relies on the collective power of its individual participants.

The message from Anonymous reads as follows:

Merhaba Türkiye,

Over the last few years, we have seen how the Turkish government has tightened its grip on the Internet. It has blocked thousands of websites and blogs while abusive legal proceedings against online journalists persist. The government now wants to impose a new filtering system on the 22nd of August that will make it possible to keep records of everyone’s Internet activity.

Though it remains opaque why and how the system will be put in place. It is clear that the government is taking censorship to the next level.

These acts are inexcusable. Accessing and participating in the free flow of information is a basic human right. Anonymous will not stand by while the Turkish government violates this right. We will bring our supporters to circumvent censorship and retaliate against organizations imposing censorship.

Hundreds of thousands of people have protested against Internet censorship but AKP government ignored the voice of the people and violently oppressed the protesters.

We call on all Internet users worldwide to support freedom of speech by pushing the Turkish government to stop these foolish policies. The free flow of information won’t be stopped. Sharing of knowledge won’t be stopped. It is time to fight for our rights and stand up for what we believe in.

We are Anonymous.

We are Legion.

We do not Forgive.

We do not Forget.

Expect us.