Critics have warned that the new internet law, which requires such a role, will increase censorship and help silence dissent.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media that YouTube has become the first social media giant to establish a local legal representation in Turkey following Ankara’s imposition of millions of dollars worth of fines for failing to appoint such a role.

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Periscope, YouTube and TikTok had all been highlighted by the Turkish government as having failed to appoint such a representative, as required by a new internet law.

In a statement posted on its official blog on Wednesday, YouTube said it had agreed to comply with the law after "thoroughly analysing" it "over the past few months".