The Turkish Personal Data Protection Authority (the
"Turkish DPA") published, on 1 March 2023, a summary of
its Decision No. 2023/134 concerning the investigation into TikTok
over its data protection measures and imposed a fine of TRY
1,750,000 (approximately EUR 87,500) against the company.
The decision of the Turkish DPA is very significant especially
for service providers also targeting Turkish residents and children
in Turkey. Also the Turkish DPA is not the first authority that has
issued fine against TikTok as TikTok has been on the agenda of the
data protection authorities around the world.
Findings of the Turkish DPA
As a result of various complaints and news about the claims that
there is unlawfulness within the scope of obtaining and storing of
personal data, there are many security flaws in TikTok's
software, and the user's explicit consent was not duly
obtained, Turkish DPA initiated an ex officio
investigation.