"We believe freedom of expression is a fundamental right and that our platforms should be a place where users around the world can exercise this right," a Meta spokesperson said in a statement.

"Government requests to restrict speech online alongside threats to shut down online services are severe and have a chilling effect on people's ability to express themselves," it added.

Meta declined to give the exact amount of the fine.

Elon Musk-owned X has also received orders to suspend hundreds of accounts, which the company has largely complied with as it fights the demands in courts.

According to Politico, most of the X accounts belonged to university-linked activists sharing protest information and were suspended in Turkey only.

Since March 19, Turkey has been gripped by massive anti-government protests following the arrest of Istanbul's opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, the biggest political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The protests have been met with a sharp crackdown, prompting opposition leader Ozgur Ozel to call for a boycott of businesses allegedly close to Erdogan's government.

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