X account of Prof. Yaman Akdeniz, who tracks online blocking, blocked in Türkiye

The X account @cyberrights of law professor Yaman Akdeniz, a co-founder of the Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD), was blocked in Türkiye on September 24. According to İFÖD, the decision was taken under Article 8/A of Law No. 5651 on grounds of “protecting national security and public order.” X complied and made the account invisible in Türkiye.

Speaking to bianet, Akdeniz said he did not know on what decision or grounds his account was blocked, or which court issued the order. “I have become the subject of the issue I have constantly raised,” he said, adding that because the decision had not been served on him, he could not take legal action. Akdeniz said he would appeal and would not open a new account.

Akdeniz is known for İFÖD’s EngelliWeb project, which tracks blocking orders against websites, social media accounts and news content in Türkiye. According to İFÖD, 194 accounts, including those of economists, academics, journalists and politicians, have been blocked recently, with a combined following of about 12 million.

The same week, the X account of Haluk Hepkon, founder of Kırmızı Kedi publishing house, was also restricted in Türkiye under the same article. Lawyer Kerem Altıparmak recalled Akdeniz’s earlier application to the Constitutional Court to keep X accessible in Türkiye.