No internet censorship in Turkey: PM

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected claims that the countrys newly-adopted cyber law will limit freedom of expression.

"These regulations do not impose any censorship at all on the Internet.... On the contrary, they make it safer and freer," Erdogan said on Saturday.

The Turkish Parliament passed the law late on Wednesday, allowing the Telecommunications Communications Presidency (TIB) to block access to websites deemed to violate privacy or have insulting content without a court order.

The TIB could also request users communications and traffic information from providers with no court ruling.

The Turkish Premier also denied that the law would allow the government authorities to have access to internet users' personal information.

"Never. It is out of the question that people's private data will be recorded," he said. European Parliament chief Martin Schulz described the move as a step back in an already suffocating environment for media freedom."

The new measure came as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogans government has been embroiled in a corruption scandal.

Critics say Erdogans adoption of harsh measures is an attempt to contain the scandal probe involving some of his close allies.

Erdogan has denounced the probe as a plot to undermine his government ahead of the local elections in March, adding that the graft allegations against businesspersons and government officials are hindering the economic growth.

SAB/AB/SS

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No internet censorship in Turkey: PM