πŸ‡ΉπŸ‡·Why File Downloads from Big Digital Download May Not Work in Turkye (Backblaze Issue)

Download Issues in Turkey: Why They Happen and What You Can Do

Some merchants and customers in Turkey have reported that they are unable to download digital files through the BIG Digital Download app. This is not an outage in our app or in our storage provider, but rather the result of government restrictions in Turkey.

This article explains why this happens, which storage provider we use, and what possible workarounds exist for you and your customers.

Why This Happens

BIG Digital Download relies on Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage, one of the most reputable and secure cloud providers in the world. Backblaze operates globally and serves thousands of B2B and B2C companies.

However, due to domestic internet policies in Turkey, Backblaze domains and IP addresses have been blocked by Turkish authorities. These restrictions are not unique to Backblazeβ€”Turkey regularly blocks large numbers of websites, VPNs, and content-delivery networks (CDNs) as part of its broader censorship framework.

According to Freedom House, Turkey’s internet is classified as β€œNot Free” (31/100, Freedom on the Net 2024), and over 311,000 websites were blocked in 2024 (IFEX report). Unfortunately, Backblaze is among the domains affected.

Which Provider We Use

BIG Digital Download stores files using Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage.

  • Backblaze is a U.S.-based cloud provider, founded in 2007.

  • It powers file storage and delivery for companies worldwide.

  • It has multiple data centers across North America and Europe.

  • Backblaze is available globally, except in countries subject to U.S. trade sanctions (Turkey is not officially one of them).

Because of its reliability, security, and affordability, Backblaze is our chosen provider.

Why This Specific Problem Occurs in Turkey

Independent reports confirm that Turkish authorities have blocked Backblaze domains since at least late 2021.

The government has not provided an official explanation. Likely reasons include:

  • Content control: Preventing distribution of unlicensed or political material.

  • Regulatory enforcement: Non-compliance with Turkey’s requirements for foreign digital platforms.

  • Collateral blocking: Entire storage/CDN domains being blocked without distinction.

Sources

Possible Solutions for Affected Users

If you or your customers are based in Turkey and encounter download failures:

  • Use a VPN: A VPN can bypass the local block. However, note that Turkey has also blocked many VPN services, so only some providers work.

  • Proxy or alternative routing: Some merchants set up proxy servers or CDNs to route downloads through an unblocked domain.

What BIG Digital Download Is Doing

  • Monitoring the situation: We are actively tracking reports from Backblaze and users.

  • Escalating with Backblaze: Backblaze has already submitted requests to the Turkish government to be removed from the block list, but has not received a response.

  • Support guidance: Our support team will continue to provide up-to-date information and recommend the most effective workarounds available.

While this situation is beyond our direct control, we are committed to keeping you informed and helping you serve your Turkish customers with practical solutions.

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