Turkey has no plans to ban social networking sites, officials say

ANKARA, Turkey, June 20 (UPI) -- In response to rumors spread on the Internet, Turkish lawmakers said the government does not plan on banning social networking websites.

Turkish officials have proposed restrictions on social networking sites after several instances of hate speech and fake photographs during the Gezi Park protests were reported, Today's Zaman said.

On Thursday Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said the new regulations would prevent people from making fake accounts on such sites and would not result in a ban.

Justice and Development Party Deputy Chairman Huseyin Celik also said Wednesday the new law "will be just like how social media is regulated in civilized countries."