Turkey: Court Rejects BTK Appeal in Bandwidth Throttling Case

Turkey's Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) has had its appeal denied in a significant legal battle over internet access restrictions. The case concerns a "bandwidth throttling" measure applied to social media platforms for approximately 17 hours following an attack on TUSAŞ (Turkish Aerospace Industries) in October 2024.

Professor Yaman Akdeniz, a founder of the Freedom of Expression Association and a faculty member at Bilgi University's Law School, had demanded information and documents from BTK that justified this access slowdown. When his request was denied, Akdeniz initiated legal action, ultimately winning his case at the first instance court.

The BTK appealed this decision, but the Ankara Regional Administrative Court's 12th Administrative Litigation Chamber unanimously rejected the appeal. This ruling definitively upholds Akdeniz's right to access information, marking his third successful legal challenge against BTK concerning internet restrictions.

Akdeniz has previously secured victories in similar cases, including restrictions on Twitter following the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes and measures related to the March 19 events. He sharply criticized BTK's approach to court decisions, stating on his X account, "BTK, on the one hand, uses its right to defense to the fullest and even appeals. But when it loses these cases, it does not comply with court decisions. If you are not going to comply with decisions, why do you defend yourself? I will never let you go."

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BTK, on the one hand, uses its right to defense to the fullest and even appeals. But when it loses these cases, it does not comply with court decisions. If you are not going to comply with decisions, why do you defend yourself? I will never let you go.