LONDON: YouTube has appointed a Turkish local representative to comply with the country’s controversial internet law, in a decision that human rights groups warn is a violation of free expression.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Saturday said the move will make YouTube “much more susceptible” to content removal and take-down requests by Turkish authorities.
“It will inevitably lead to an increase in arbitrary censorship, compromise people’s privacy and right of access to information, and could implicate YouTube in human rights violations,” HRW said.
“It sets a dangerous precedent that makes it harder for other tech companies to refuse to appoint a local representative in Turkey,” it added.
“Rather than cooperate with this form of state interference with freedom of expression, YouTube should be a partner in efforts to challenge the law and champion the right to free speech.”
Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at HRW, said: “The main social media companies quite rightly have so far chosen not to comply with this draconian law, which facilitates censorship.”
He added: “YouTube’s decision to comply with the requirement to set up a local representative in the belief that it will be possible to ride out the storm and hold out against a flood of take-down requests is deeply misguided and blinkered to the deplorable climate for free speech in Turkey.”
HRW said YouTube failed to consult with civil society groups before making the decision. However, the company said it will “continue to preserve the platform’s vibrance and openness.”
It added: “This will not change how YouTube reviews content removal requests, nor will it change how YouTube handles or holds user data.”
HRW said YouTube’s decision is “deeply disappointing and troubling,” and is part of “the company’s failure to understand existing threats and violations to freedom of expression in Turkey.”
Yaman Akdeniz, a founder of the Turkish Freedom of Expression Association, said: “In the absence of due process and an independent judiciary, including functioning democratic institutions such as the Constitutional Court, it will be impossible for YouTube or any social media platform to protect the rights of users in Turkey as they will become the long arm of the Turkish state.”
Sarah Clarke, head of Europe and Central Asia at British human rights organization ARTICLE 19, said: “Tech companies should not bow to this pressure or enter into behind-closed-doors agreements with authorities.”
She added: “As long as the environment for freedom of expression and the rule of law is this hostile in Turkey, other social media platforms should continue not to comply with the amendments to the Internet law.”
