X has blocked access to accounts run by student groups from top Turkish universities at the request of the Turkish government amid nationwide protests over the detention of the mayor of İstanbul and the cancelation of his university degree, the Diken news website reported on Friday.
The accounts were used by students at major universities including Galatasaray University, Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) and Boğaziçi University, following days of protests against the detention of İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu which came a day after the annulment of his university diploma.
The İstanbul University administration announced the cancellation of İmamoğlu’s diploma from its English-language business administration program, citing “absence” and “clear error” in graduation records. The decision also affected 27 other graduates and, notably, Prof. Dr. Aylin Ataay Saybaşılı, head of the business department at Galatasaray University, whose diploma was also revoked.
Student groups across Turkey have condemned the actions as politically motivated and staged protests on campuses and in public squares. Students at İstanbul University rallied in Beyazıt Square, while those at Galatasaray University organized a class boycott and held a forum in the university’s main hall chanting slogans in support of Prof. Ataay such as “Aylin hoca is not alone.”
On Thursday ODTÜ students gathered to protest late into the night following the detention of more than 80 people, including İmamoğlu. Protesters chanted “Government resign,” “Youths will hold the AKP accountable” and “We will win by resisting,” before police blocked their march toward Ankara’s central Kızılay district.
A social media blackout was in place that was enforced through narrowed bandwidth access to platforms including X, although it ended on Friday. However, many student-run solidarity accounts remained inaccessible. Galatasaray University’s solidarity network confirmed the restriction in a statement on X, saying: “Access to our solidarity account has been blocked! We will continue to carry on our fight for justice from the campus to the streets and will not remain silent against the government’s pressure.”
Under Elon Musk’s ownership, X has faced criticism for its willingness to restrict content at the request of authoritarian regimes, with Turkey ranking among the top countries requesting account suspensions and content removals.
Turkish authorities frequently cite national security concerns or laws against “terrorist propaganda” to justify digital censorship, particularly targeting opposition figures, activists and independent media.
The latest wave of account blockages follows a broader pattern of platform compliance with Ankara’s escalating crackdown on dissent.
In recent months, X has complied with Turkish court orders to block access to hundreds of accounts, including those of journalists, activists and media organizations.