Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Thursday that the government would not ban social media websites, but would bring in new regulations to prevent the creation of fake accounts on such sites.
His comments come in the wake of rumors on the Internet that the government was planning to ban social media websites after encountering several instances of provocative hate speech and fake photographs during the Gezi Park protests.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Çelik had said on Wednesday that no one should expect a surprise ban on social media, but the proposed law "will be just like how social media is regulated in civilized countries."
Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim also said the new law would curb cyber crimes, but would bring "no restrictions on social media."
Calling the standing protests at Istanbul's Taksim Square "peaceful," another Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arinç warned protesters that standing long hours may cause health problems.
"This is not a violent protest. It is easy on the eyes. It is a peaceful kind of protest. It is not something to be condemned," Arinç was quoted by the Turkish media as saying.
It was the first government comment on the standing protests started by performing artist Erdem Gündüz, who stood silently for eight hours late on Monday and into Tuesday in Taksim Square, the scene of violent clashes between police and anti-government protesters over the Gezi Park demolition in recent weeks. His novel form of protest has inspired hundreds of others to follow his lead.
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