Turkey accused of intercepting Google DNS

After Twitter and YouTube, it’s now time for Google to cry foul. Apparently Turkey is asking their ISPs to intercept Google’s public DNS service – primary: 8.8.8.8, secondary 8.8.4.4 – and redirect to their own servers, in order to reinforce the ban on the microblogging site and the video-sharing site, amongst others.

Google says that it has received “credible reports” and conducted its own research to confirm the interception.

The main purpose of the Google’s Domain Name System is to help one quickly and securely make their way to whatever host they are looking for. Although no official reason has been given, we can make some pretty safe assumptions about the intention behind this move.

After the direct Twitter ban, the Turks took to routing their access to the site via the Google DNS. YouTube came under the hammer after a video was posted online, showcasing the discussion of a government official, outlining the possible military action in Syria. In short, the anti-government faction is using the digital medium to highlight the flaws in the current regime.

In light of the recent events, the Turkish authorities are doing all that they can to ensure free access to the banned sites is curtailed. Only for a brief moment there looked to be some respite, when a court ruling stated that the Twitter ban was illegal. However that ruling proved very short-lived.

SOURCE: ZDNET