Turkey's internet censorship is starting to look like China's 'Great Firewall'

The Turkish government is strengthening its already tight grip on the country’s internet.

In the past, government officials have blocked Twitter, Facebook and other social networks where Turkish residents often discuss politics. These blocks have no doubt been maddening for many, but savvy internet users have been able to use virtual private networks (VPNs) to access their favorite social networks anyway.

As of Dec. 18, Turkey has officially gone after VPNs and Tor, which had allowed users to remain anonymous, according to Turkey Blocks, which tracks internet censorship in the nation. Internet users in Turkey can still use what's called a Tor bridge or customized VPNs to get around the intense censorship, but using such tools requires a degree of technical know-how that many likely don't possess.

"Partial or total blocking of VPN, Tor and similar services will shift Turkey’s internet censorship regime from moderate to severe in character, allowing the state fine-grained control of the flow of information in a 'walled garden' model of internet access like that imposed by China’s Great Firewall," the editorial team of Turkey Blocks wrote in a report on the government's latest censorship effort.

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In hindsight, perhaps the move isn't all that surprising. Turkey has long been a leading internet aggressor, requesting take-downs of more specific tweets in the second half of 2015 than even Russia, and Turkey has shown similar aggression on Facebook.

After surviving an attempted coup earlier this year, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has taken several measures to tighten his grip on the government. This censorship is just the latest.