Yasin
Lawyer · Istanbul, Turkey
- 187 cases handled · 1 in this service
- 4+ years in practice
- Speaks: English, Turkish
- Law, Yeditepe University Faculty of Law
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5.00(6 reviews)
Data Protection in Turkey
Data protection in Turkey is governed by KVKK, the Turkish Law on the Protection of Personal Data, not by the EU GDPR. English-speaking lawyers help businesses that handle customer or staff data in Turkey meet KVKK, and the GDPR as well where they deal with people in the EU.
About Data Protection in Turkey
Data protection is the set of rules on how a business collects, uses, stores and shares personal data about customers, staff and others. In Turkey the main law is KVKK (Kişisel Verilerin Korunması Kanunu, the Law on the Protection of Personal Data), supervised by the Personal Data Protection Authority, known by the same initials. People search for it as Turkish data protection law, Turkey data privacy law, KVKK compliance or GDPR compliance in Turkey. KVKK is close to the European model but it is a separate law: Turkey is not in the EU, and the GDPR applies to a business in Turkey only in addition, for example when it offers goods or services to people in the EU.
Who it concerns
Foreign-owned companies in Turkey, hotels, clinics, online shops, agencies and property managers, and foreign companies that hire staff or serve customers in Turkey.
Main KVKK duties
- A legal basis for each use of data; explicit consent (açık rıza) is only one of them.
- A privacy notice (aydınlatma metni) telling people what is collected and why.
- Registration in VERBİS, the registry of data controllers, for businesses that do not fall under an exemption.
- Answering requests from people who want to see, correct or delete their data.
- Security measures, and prompt notice to the Authority and to the people concerned after a data breach.
- Rules for sending data abroad, which also cover cloud services or a parent company's systems outside Turkey.
Points to watch
The rules on transfers abroad were reformed, and standard contracts set by the Authority now play a central role; the exemptions from VERBİS registration have also changed. Conditions change, and a lawyer confirms the current ones. Fines for breaches of KVKK can be significant.
What a lawyer does
The lawyer maps what data the business holds and where it goes, writes the privacy notice and internal policies, checks the VERBİS position, prepares transfer contracts, reviews data clauses in supplier agreements under contract review and advice, and helps respond to a breach or to a complaint before the Authority.
Questions and answers
Does the GDPR apply in Turkey?
Not as Turkish law. KVKK applies in Turkey, and the GDPR may apply on top of it when a business in Turkey targets or monitors people in the EU.
Does a small business in Turkey have KVKK duties?
Yes. KVKK covers businesses of any size that handle personal data; some duties, such as VERBİS registration, depend on exemptions.
When does data protection start for a new company?
From the moment it collects data about staff or customers, so it belongs to business set-up.
Does an NDA cover personal data?
Only partly. A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) protects business information; personal data still follows KVKK.
2 lawyers who provide Data Protection in Turkey
Sorted by experience in this service. Write to any of them — the reply comes from the lawyer, without obligation.
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Gamze
Lawyer · Bodrum, Turkey
- 123 cases handled
- 14+ years in practice
- Speaks: Turkish, English
- Law, Yeditepe University
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4.94(4 reviews)
Contact form · a chat with a lawyer
Talk to a lawyer about Data Protection
2 registered lawyers provide this service in Turkey. Describe your situation in a short chat — what happened, where, and how to reach you. Your enquiry is reviewed and passed to a lawyer who handles exactly this kind of case, with no obligation.
We are not just a place to list a profile: we work with every lawyer individually. Each one is registered with a bar association, and their experience, languages and client reviews are shown openly on their card.
Enquiries are answered by lawyers of AdvocateAbroad. This site provides legal information, not legal advice.
What our clients say about our service in Turkey
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Excellent service. We needed to set up a company in Turkey and get legal support, and they quickly connected us with a lawyer there, with great results.
— Sergio27 Jun 2022 -
His service to me was very professional and prompt, and he went out of his way to keep me informed about what he was doing, all in perfect English.
— Alan16 Oct 2023 -
The lawyer went above and beyond in every possible way. Several steps had to be completed in a specific order, and she replied to everything within minutes, every time. She explained it all in perfect detail and advised us on what would give the best chance of success. She was kind and friendly yet professional. She gave us the legal help we needed and also eased our stress, because it felt like having a friend in the country who wanted to help, and we are very satisfied with the outcome.
— Brandon31 Jan 2023Residency Visa, Turkey -
A fast response and excellent advice.
— Elena03 Jan 2023 -
I experienced nothing but the highest level of professionalism and responsiveness from the lawyer. She was always extremely knowledgeable, calm and very responsive, with excellent communication skills in perfect English, and she got things done quickly. I am very grateful for all the help she gave me and would recommend her very highly.
— Michael08 Sep 2022 -
The lawyer knows Turkish law extremely well, including the options open to me as a dual Turkish and American citizen living abroad, and I was amazed at how fast she understood my situation. At each stage she laid out the possible next steps, and I never felt stuck or pushed in one direction. Costs were agreed in advance and were very reasonable for the work done. I truly felt she was on my side throughout, and I am completely satisfied with the result. She is extremely friendly and very professional, and I will certainly keep using her for any other legal matter I need handled in Turkey.
— Cheryl28 Apr 2022 -
The lawyer was very professional and responsive. On every matter we discussed she offered solutions drawn from her experience and expertise, and we found that very useful. We are very pleased with how she worked with us, and her English was perfect.
— Mohammed14 Feb 2022 -
He made me feel as if I were his only client, and in my view he went far beyond what was needed to look after my requirements. I felt completely safe in his hands, I am very satisfied with his work, and I count myself lucky to have him as my lawyer. I plan to use his office for as long as I am in Kusadasi.
— Dennis18 Aug 2021EU Residency Visa (Non-EU), Turkey -
The lawyer is great and guided me through the whole process. I am very happy with the help she gave, and her English was flawless. I would certainly recommend her to friends and to anyone who needs a professional with a problem-solving mindset.
— Fabio08 May 2021 -
Working with her is very easy, and for any future needs I will hire her again.
— Fahimeh29 Mar 2021EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate), Turkey -
The lawyer was extremely helpful and could not have done any more for me.
— Andrew16 Feb 2021Family Law Consultation, Turkey -
Asking a lawyer for help was the last thing I wanted, and the difference in place, culture and language made it more stressful for me. Still, the lawyer supported me all the way in dealing with my opponent. I was very satisfied with the result and recommend her 100%.
— Agata18 Jun 2020