The Principle Decision ("Decision")
numbered 2025/1072, issued by the Personal Data Protection Board
("Board") on June 10, 2025, regarding the processing of
personal data through the transmission of verification codes via
short message service (SMS) during the provision of goods and
services, was published in the Official Gazette dated June 26,
2025, and numbered 32938.
This Decision reveals how the practices frequently used by
e-commerce and digital service providers in identity verification
processes should be evaluated within the scope of the Personal Data
Protection Law No. 6698 and clarifies the legal obligations of data
controllers in this context.
The Board conducted an investigation based on complaints and
notices received regarding the sending of verification codes via
SMS to individuals during the provision of products and services
(such as during payment, registration, membership, or quotation
processes), where the individual is requested to enter the