Turkey Rules Against Online Poker & Online Gambling

A controversial bill has been recently approved in Turkey as a measure against "indecent broadcasting and online gambling," which includes online poker. The bill also purports to combat child abuse.

The new amendment to the existing censorship laws, Article 301 of the Penal Code, empowers the Information Technology Security Agency (ITSA) to censor and block offending websites that are 'denigrating Turkishness, the republic, the institutions and organs of the state.'

As reported on January 4 by the Turkish web newspaper Yeni Safak, Turkish people have, until now, enjoyed freedom of expression on the Internet.

They will now face considerable censorship, as ITSA will work as a sort of "huge eyes" with the task of identifying and blocking any violators, as defined by the Turkish Penal Code.

Following extensive monitoring of suspected sites, ITSA will seek court orders to block offending sites. The court orders will presumably be served on ISPs, though action will also be brought against site owners if they can be found.

Those responsible for websites with content violating the new bill will face punishment that could comprise sentences between six months and three years in prison.

Approval of the bill has opened much debate about Turkey's freedom of expression on the Internet.

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