Istanbul ( CNN ) -- Several thousand opponents of new Internet filtering rules , set to take effect in Turkey in August , marched in protest in Istanbul on Sunday . Demonstrators carried signs in Turkish and English reading `` Do n't touch my Internet '' and `` We do n't need protection , '' while they chanted slogans against website censorship . Internet users must choose among four filtering options , including family , children , domestic or standard settings , as a part of Turkey 's `` Safe Internet Service . '' The regulations are designed to protect children from indecent online content , according to BTK , the prime minister 's information technology board . Critics argue that it is not clear how the filtering system will work . The marchers stopped several times to stage brief sit-ins during the two-hour route from the Taksim Square to the end of Istiklal Street . Organizers claimed the marcher numbered in the `` thousands , '' which appeared to be accurate to a CNN reporter on the scene . The new filtering rules will be enforced beginning August 22 , the government said . A `` Enemies of the Internet '' report issued this month by Reporters Without Borders included Turkey on its 2011 list of `` countries under surveillance . '' The BTK was `` not fooling anyone when it claims to be rendering a service to Internet users by giving them a choice between a lot of restrictions and fewer restrictions , '' the report said . Turkey already blocks more than 7,000 websites , `` in most cases without reference to any court , '' the report said .
Turkish officials say filtering is needed to protect kids from Web content . `` We do n't need protection , '' marchers ' signs say . Score: 6