DHAKA: The Iranian authorities have restored blocks on Facebook and Twitter after a ‘technical glitch’ briefly removed filters from the social networks overnight.

The semi-official Mehr news agency quoted Abdolsamad Khoramabadi, from the board overseeing the internet in Iran, as saying the removal of the blocks was a technical failure that was quickly rectified, reports The Straits Times.

Iranian followers of the networks were disappointed on Tuesday morning when the sites were no longer available, forcing them again to go through proxy servers for access.

Surprised internet users in Iran on Monday night were able to log onto their accounts without using illegal software that enables them to circumvent a widespread state-run filtering mechanism.

They voiced their delight online, with posts revelling in the rare web freedom, restricted in 2009 when social networking sites enabled protesters to organise anti-government demonstrations in the aftermath of a disputed presidential election.

BDST: 1629 HRS, SEPT 17, 2013
RoR/RIS