An Iranian administrative court has accepted a last-minute lawsuit questioning the legality of the body responsible for managing cyberspace, according to the Guardian. That body had previously ordered the restoration of the internet. The lawsuit was reportedly filed by hardliners opposed to easing internet restrictions.
The Iranian government announced on Tuesday that it would end the 88-day internet blackout. Early signs included the restoration of access to Gmail. But now the court has blocked the process. It stressed that it is not reviewing the lifting of the blackout itself, but only the authority of the cyberspace body.
The delay is a setback for President Masoud Pezeshkian, who had pushed for an end to the blackout. He had promised a free internet during his election campaign. The background is a worsening economic crisis and fears of mass unemployment. Many Iranians have been cut off from the global internet, with only a privileged minority maintaining access.
Sattar Hashemi welcomed Tuesday’s announcement but warned that the restoration of the internet would be gradual. It is unclear how long the court will take to reach a decision.
Source: www.theguardian.com
