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ARTICLE · 19 FEBRUARY 2026

Two-Minute Recap: Data Protection Law Matters In Türkiye - 2026 January

Gen Temizer Erdogan Girgin Attorney Partnership
Gen Temizer Erdogan Girgin Attorney Partnership
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The Turkish Personal Data Protection Authority ("DPA") announced on 29 January 2026 that the use of the foreign electronic communications applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram etc. as a communication tool in public institutions ...

TurkeyPrivacy
Ebru Temizer
Ebru Temizer
Sinan Abra
Sinan Abra
Irmak Seymen Varat
Irmak Seymen Varat
Seray Apak Başaran
Seray Apak Başaran
Lorin Tutci
Lorin Tutci
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Authority Warns Public Institutions Against Use of Foreign Messaging Apps

The Turkish Personal Data Protection Authority ("DPA") announced on 29 January 2026 that the use of the foreign electronic communications applications such as WhatsApp, Telegram etc. as a communication tool in public institutions is contrary to Presidential Circular No. 2019/12 on 'Information and Communication Security Measures' published in the Official Gazette dated 06.07.2019 and numbered 30823, as such applications does not have any data centres established in Türkiye.

The relevant Circular emphasised that domestic applications should be preferred for communication in public institutions and official documents containing confidential or otherwise sensitive information should not be shared via these platforms.

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