Social media users who share content that has been subject to a legal complaint in Turkey will be punished, according an omnibus bill currently being debated in parliament. Internet censors at the Telecommunications Directorate (TÝB) will be able to
decide for the removal or blocking of Internet content based on vague claims about "protection of national security and public order" in the omnibus bill, and users who then share such content will also be punished. On March 20,
parliament approved a key article of the contentious omnibus bill that gives power to the prime minister and other ministers to shut down websites within four hours. The approval came just six months after a similar bill was overturned by the
Constitutional Court. The TÝB could enforce the ministry's request as a blanket ban of the website if deemed necessary, within a maximum four hours. The TÝB would then submit the decision to the judge of a criminal court of peace within 24 hours
for approval. The judge would have to issue a ruling within 48 hours. If no verdict is issued, the ban would automatically be revoked. According to the law, the TÝB could also file criminal complaints by applying to prosecutors regarding the
content of the website. ISPs or web hosts would be required to submit the necessary information to help locate those being censored through a court order. Providers that do not identify censored account holders could be given hefty fines Authorities
would also be able to revoke their provider licenses in Turkey.
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