YouTube, Spotify accused of aiding Turkish censorship

The Turkish government has sparked outrage after blocking hundreds of online videos and music tracks by the prominent leftist folk group Grup Yorum, prompting accusations of censorship and collusion by major digital platforms, including YouTube and Spotify.

According to the Freedom of Expression Association (IFOD), authorities recently moved to restrict access to over 450 Grup Yorum videos on YouTube, citing "national security and public order" concerns. The clips—uploaded since 2006 across numerous channels—had collectively amassed more than 205 million views before they were taken down.

At least one of the band’s albums has also been removed from Spotify and Apple Music in Turkey, while streaming service Deezer reportedly rejected a similar request.

IFOD condemned the move in a statement Friday, saying it reflects the expanding reach of Turkey’s 2022 digital legislation, which grants sweeping powers to the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK). Under this law, authorities can compel social media platforms to remove content or risk having their bandwidth throttled.

Platforms such as X have already faced pressure, with dozens of opposition-linked accounts blocked within Turkey in recent months.

Founded in 1985, Grup Yorum is known for their politically charged music supporting workers’ rights, anti-imperialism, Kurdish struggles, women’s rights, and resistance to police violence. Their repertoire includes original compositions and covers of revolutionary songs like Bella Ciao and The Internationale.

The Turkish government has long accused the group of ties to the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP-C), a Marxist-Leninist group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and other countries. Members of the band have frequently faced imprisonment or exile, with lineups constantly changing.

In protest against the removals, Grup Yorum announced Monday that they were making their entire discography freely available online. On Tuesday, the group called for a three-day boycott of Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music.

“We are not dependent on these monopolized platforms,” the group wrote on X. “They are trying to erase Grup Yorum, who have been singing the people's folk songs for 40 years, from everywhere. They will not succeed!”

#grupyorumhalktırsusturulamaz @SpotifyTurkiye @YouTube
Şarkılarımıza yönelik sansür uygulayan, faşizme destek olan Youtube ve Spotify'ı boykot ediyoruz.
Biz tekelleşmiş bu platformlara muhtaç değiliz.
40 yıldır halkın türkülerini söyleyen Grup Yorum'u her yerden silmeye… pic.twitter.com/IOUis44ttT

— Grup Yorum (@GrupYorum_) June 3, 2025

The band’s struggles are not new. In 2020, Grup Yorum member Ibrahim Gökçek died following a prolonged hunger strike protesting the banning of the band’s concerts and the jailing of several members. His death became a powerful symbol of the group’s defiance against censorship and repression.