IT Law in Turkey

Almost every business today runs on technology, and with that comes a layer of legal rules that did not exist a generation ago. Websites collect personal data, software is licensed rather than sold, contracts are signed electronically, sales happen across borders through online platforms, and a single security incident can become a legal and financial problem overnight. IT law in Turkey is the area of law that governs all of this, and for any technology company or digital business operating in the Turkish market it is a practical, everyday concern.

Karanfiloglu Law Firm is an Istanbul-based law firm that advises Turkish and international clients on IT law and technology law. We act for technology companies, software developers, startups, e-commerce businesses, online platforms, fintech companies, digital service providers, data controllers, content creators, and foreign investors who need their digital operations to be legally sound in Turkey. Turkish IT law draws on several key statutes, including the Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698, known as KVKK, the Law on the Regulation of Electronic Commerce No. 6563, the Law No. 5651 on internet publications, and the informatics crime provisions of the Turkish Penal Code No. 5237.

Legal assistance matters here because IT law is both technical and fast moving. The rules change constantly as technology, data protection standards, online platforms, digital commerce, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence develop. A privacy policy or a software contract that was adequate two years ago may no longer meet current requirements. For digital businesses, the cost of getting this wrong is real: administrative sanctions for data protection failures, disputes over software ownership, liability for online content, and exposure to cybercrime. Sound legal advice keeps a technology business compliant and protected as it grows.

What Does IT Law Cover in Turkey?

IT law in Turkey covers the legal issues that arise from technology and the internet. This includes technology and internet services, e-commerce, software, digital contracts, the protection of personal data, cybersecurity, cybercrimes, online content, social media, intellectual property in digital products, the liability of online platforms, and technology-related disputes. In short, it is the body of law that governs how digital products and services are built, sold, used, and protected.

For any company operating online in Turkey, IT law has two dimensions. The first is Turkish compliance: meeting the requirements of KVKK for personal data, the electronic commerce rules for online sales, and the internet content rules for what is published. The second is cross-border compliance. A Turkish business that serves customers in the European Union may also need to consider the EU General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, which can apply to companies outside the EU depending on how they operate. A technology business therefore has to think about both Turkish law and, where relevant, the law of the markets it serves.

Why You Need a Lawyer for IT Law in Turkey

Technology businesses carry legal risk that is easy to overlook because it is not always visible until something goes wrong.

The common exposures include processing personal data without a proper legal basis, running an e-commerce website without compliant terms and privacy documents, using a privacy policy or user agreement that does not reflect Turkish law, entering into software development contracts that fail to define ownership and scope, licensing technology on weak terms, mishandling a cybersecurity incident, and facing online defamation, cybercrime complaints, or disputes that turn on digital evidence. Each of these can lead to administrative sanctions, financial loss, or litigation.

Foreign clients face particular practical problems in Turkey. There is a language barrier with both the rules and the authorities. Turkish compliance requirements, especially under KVKK, differ from those a company may know from its home market. KVKK procedures, including the obligations of data controllers, are unfamiliar. Administrative sanctions can follow a data protection failure. Electronic evidence has to be handled in a way Turkish proceedings will accept. Platform takedown and content removal procedures follow Turkish rules. And cross-border technology contracts raise questions about which law applies. A foreign technology business that does not know these things is exposed without realising it.

A Turkish IT lawyer reduces this exposure in concrete ways. We develop a legal strategy for the digital business, handle contract drafting for technology agreements, carry out compliance review against Turkish requirements, prepare data protection documentation, advise on breach response when an incident occurs, prepare cybercrime complaints, act in platform disputes, represent clients in litigation, and manage regulatory communication with the authorities. The aim is a digital business that is compliant, protected, and able to operate with confidence in Turkey.

Why Choose Karanfiloglu Law Firm for IT Law

Karanfiloglu Law Firm provides IT law and technology law services from our office in the centre of Istanbul, and we act for clients across Turkey and abroad. Our practice combines knowledge of Turkish technology and data protection law with an understanding of how digital businesses actually operate, so we explain technical legal issues in practical business language rather than abstract terms.

We support international clients directly. Many of the technology companies and digital businesses we advise are based outside Turkey or are entering the Turkish market, so clear communication is part of the service. We explain Turkish IT rules in plain English, set out the options and their consequences, and keep clients informed at each stage. Our work covers the full life of an IT law matter: legal strategy, document preparation, technology contract drafting, KVKK and GDPR-related compliance support, software and e-commerce legal review, cybercrime procedures, online content disputes, representation, and end to end assistance.

We do not promise particular outcomes and we do not rely on slogans. What we offer is careful, responsive, and honest legal work, with transparent advice about what your situation requires and what it does not.

About our lawyer

The firm is led by attorney Kaan Karanfiloglu, an experienced commercial lawyer based in Istanbul. He advises clients in English, French, and Turkish, and the firm also supports clients in Russian and Chinese through experienced translators in the office. Kaan Karanfiloglu is registered with the Istanbul Bar Association, registration number 58270, and the Union of Turkish Bar Associations, registration number 133074. He graduated from Galatasaray University Law School.

• Karanfiloglu Law Firm is listed at Justia as a Turkish  Lawyer firm. Mr. Kaan Karanfiloglu is a top Turkish lawyer for foreigners who need legal assistance in Turkey.
• Karanfiloglu Law Firm is listed at Lawzana as a Turkish  Lawyer firm. Mr. Kaan Karanfiloglu is a top Turkish lawyer for foreigners who need legal assistance in Turkey.
• Karanfiloglu Law Firm is listed at Lawyers.com as a Turkish  Lawyer firm. Mr. Kaan Karanfiloglu is a top Turkish lawyer for foreigners who need legal assistance in Turkey.

Our IT Law Services in Turkey

We provide a complete range of services across Turkish IT law and technology law, covering compliance, contracts, disputes, and digital business support. The areas below are the ones our clients ask for most often. If your matter is not listed here, contact us and we will tell you whether and how we can help.

E-commerce Law and Online Business Compliance

We advise online businesses on e-commerce law in Turkey, including the requirements of the electronic commerce legislation and consumer protection rules that apply to distance sales. We help online sellers and marketplaces understand their obligations toward customers and operate their websites in compliance with Turkish law.

Website Terms, Privacy Policies, and User Agreements

We draft and review website terms of use, privacy policies, cookie policies, and user agreements. These documents are not a formality. They define the legal relationship between a business and its users and are a core part of compliance, so they should reflect Turkish law rather than be copied from a foreign template.

KVKK and Personal Data Protection Compliance

We advise on compliance with KVKK, the Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698. This includes assessing how a business collects and processes personal data, identifying the legal basis for processing, preparing the required documentation and disclosures, advising on consent, and addressing data controller registration obligations. Personal data protection in Turkey is one of the most active areas of IT law.

GDPR-Related Legal Support for International Businesses

We advise international businesses on how the EU General Data Protection Regulation interacts with their Turkish operations. GDPR compliance in Turkey matters for companies that serve customers in the European Union, and we help clients understand where GDPR applies alongside KVKK and how to address both.

Data Breach Response and Administrative Sanction Defense

When a data breach or cybersecurity incident occurs, the response must be prompt and correct. We advise on data breach obligations in Turkey, including notification of the data protection authority and affected individuals, and we represent clients facing investigations and administrative sanctions arising from data protection failures.

Software Development Contracts

We draft and review software development contracts. A sound contract defines the scope of work, delivery and acceptance, payment, warranties, maintenance, confidentiality, and, critically, who owns the resulting software. Clear terms prevent the ownership and performance disputes that are common in development projects.

Software Licensing, SaaS, and Technology Agreements

We handle software licensing in Turkey, software-as-a-service agreements, and other technology contracts. These agreements should clearly address the scope of the licence, service levels, data handling, liability, fees, and termination, so that the relationship between provider and client is predictable and protected.

Intellectual Property Protection for Software and Digital Products

We advise on protecting the intellectual property in software and digital products. Software is protected under Turkish copyright law, and clear documentation of authorship and ownership is essential, particularly where code is created by employees or external developers. This work connects with our Intellectual Property Law in Turkey practice.

Cybercrime Complaints and Criminal Defense

We act on cybercrime matters, both for victims filing complaints and for clients facing allegations. The Turkish Penal Code addresses informatics crimes such as unlawful access to data systems and the unlawful blocking or destruction of data. This work overlaps with our Criminal Law in Turkey practice.

Internet Fraud, Phishing, Hacking, and Unauthorized Access Cases

We handle cases involving internet fraud, phishing, hacking, and unauthorised access to systems and accounts. As a cybercrime lawyer in Turkey, we focus on identifying and preserving the digital evidence these cases depend on and on pursuing or defending the matter through the correct procedure.

Social Media Law and Online Reputation Protection

We advise individuals and businesses on social media law in Turkey and the protection of online reputation. This includes responding to harmful content, unauthorised use of names and images, and disputes arising from activity on social media platforms.

Online Defamation, Insult, Privacy Violations, and Content Removal

We act on online defamation, insult, and privacy violations, and we pursue content removal. Turkish internet legislation provides procedures for the removal of unlawful content and for access blocking, and we advise on using these procedures alongside, where appropriate, criminal complaints and civil claims.

Digital Evidence Review and Preservation

Many IT law matters are decided on digital evidence, such as messages, logs, account records, and electronic documents. We advise on identifying, preserving, and presenting this evidence correctly, because evidence that is not properly secured can be lost or challenged.

Platform Liability and Marketplace Disputes

We advise on the liability of online platforms and on disputes involving e-commerce marketplaces, including the responsibilities of intermediary service providers and disputes between platforms and the businesses or users that operate on them.

Domain Name, Website, and Online Brand Disputes

We handle disputes over domain names, websites, and the use of brands online, including domain names registered in bad faith and the unauthorised use of a business’s name or brand on the internet.

Technology Startup Legal Support

We provide legal support for technology startups, from early structuring through to growth. This includes founder and developer arrangements, data protection compliance, technology contracts, and the protection of intellectual property, so that legal issues do not become obstacles to investment or scaling.

IT-Related Commercial Disputes and Litigation

We represent clients in IT-related commercial disputes and litigation, including disputes over software contracts, technology services, licensing, and digital projects. We pursue negotiation and settlement where realistic and represent clients before the courts where necessary. This connects with our Commercial Law in Turkey practice.

Artificial Intelligence, Automation, and Emerging Technology Legal Risks

We advise on the legal risks of artificial intelligence, automation, and other emerging technologies, including how existing Turkish rules on data protection, liability, intellectual property, and contracts apply to new technology. This is a developing area, and we help clients address it with a practical, risk-aware approach.

The Legal Process in IT Law Matters in Turkey

The way an IT law matter proceeds depends on whether it is a compliance project, a contract, or a dispute. The stages below describe how we typically work.

Step 1 – Consultation. We begin by understanding your business, your technology, and your goal, whether it is compliance, a contract, or a dispute. This can take place in our Istanbul office or remotely.

Step 2 – Technical and legal issue assessment. We assess the matter from both a technical and a legal angle, so that the advice fits how the technology actually works.

Step 3 – Document and platform review. We review the relevant material, which may include the website, contracts, policies, and the platform or system involved.

Step 4 – Data processing analysis. Where personal data is involved, we analyse how it is collected, used, stored, and shared.

Step 5 – Evidence preservation. Where a dispute or incident is involved, we advise on preserving digital evidence before it is lost.

Step 6 – Legal risk assessment. We assess the legal risks and the realistic options, then explain them clearly.

Step 7 – Compliance documentation. For a compliance matter, we prepare or update the required documentation, such as privacy policies, disclosures, and consent records.

Step 8 – Contract drafting or revision. For a contract matter, we draft or revise the technology agreement so it protects the client.

Step 9 – Administrative application or cybercrime complaint. Where needed, we make an application to the relevant authority or file a cybercrime complaint.

Step 10 – Content removal or platform notice. For online content matters, we pursue removal through the appropriate procedure or platform notice.

Step 11 – Negotiation, litigation, appeal, and enforcement. Where a dispute remains, we pursue negotiation and, if needed, represent the client through litigation, any appeal, and enforcement of the outcome.

The exact process depends on whether the matter concerns e-commerce, data protection, software contracts, cybercrime, social media disputes, online content removal, technology licensing, or IT litigation. The steps above are a general guide and not a fixed timeline.

Documents and Information You May Need

The documents required depend on the type of IT law matter. As a general guide, the following are often useful when you contact us:

• Company documents and identification documents for the parties
• Website links, the privacy policy, cookie policy, and terms of use
• User agreements, software contracts, and licensing agreements
• Invoices relevant to the technology product or service
• Screenshots, server logs, and other technical records
• Correspondence, social media links, and platform messages
• Data processing records, data breach records, and a data inventory
• KVKK and GDPR documents and consent forms
• Complaint notices and administrative letters received
• Cybercrime evidence and IP registration documents
• A notarized power of attorney, where you wish us to act on your behalf

You do not need to gather everything before contacting us. After the first consultation we will tell you exactly what your specific matter requires.

Services for Foreign Clients and International Technology Companies

A significant part of our IT law practice is for foreign clients. We assist foreign technology companies, software-as-a-service providers, e-commerce businesses, digital platforms, software developers, investors, and cross border clients with their technology and digital business matters in Turkey.

Our support for foreign clients includes remote consultation by video call, contract review, a Turkish compliance assessment, KVKK and GDPR-related support, bilingual contract drafting so that the Turkish and English texts are consistent, representation by power of attorney, coordination of certified translation, and guidance on notarisation and on apostille and legalisation for documents issued abroad. All communication can be conducted in English, and we also serve clients in French, Russian, and Chinese.

The issues foreign clients face in Turkey are usually predictable. Many are uncertain about Turkish data protection rules and how KVKK differs from the standards they know. Local privacy documentation is often inadequate or simply translated from a foreign template. Software ownership disputes arise where contracts were never clear. Turkish user complaints, online content problems, and platform notices can be difficult to handle from abroad. Cybercrime procedures are unfamiliar. We anticipate these problems and address them so that a foreign technology business can operate in Turkey on a sound legal footing.

Common Legal Risks and Mistakes

Most IT law problems in Turkey trace back to a small number of avoidable mistakes. Recognising them early is the simplest way to protect a digital business.

• Launching a website without proper terms and privacy documents. Operating online without compliant terms of use and privacy documentation leaves a business exposed from day one.
• Copying foreign legal templates without Turkish legal review. Templates from another jurisdiction often fail to meet Turkish requirements, particularly under KVKK.
• Collecting personal data without KVKK compliance. Processing personal data without a proper legal basis and the required disclosures is a frequent source of administrative sanctions.
• Failing to document user consent. Without clear records of consent and the basis for processing, a business cannot demonstrate compliance.
• Ignoring data breach obligations. A breach that is not handled and notified correctly can turn a technical incident into a regulatory problem.
• Signing weak software contracts. Contracts that do not address scope, delivery, and liability lead to disputes.
• Failing to define IP ownership. When a contract does not say who owns the software, the developer and the client may both believe they do.
• Relying on informal developer agreements. Undocumented arrangements with developers are difficult to enforce and to prove.
• Deleting digital evidence. Removing logs, messages, or records can weaken a case and may itself create a problem.
• Ignoring online defamation and delaying action after cyber incidents. Harmful content and security incidents become harder to address with delay.

Proper legal assistance reduces legal exposure, supports compliance, and protects the interests of a digital business. A lawyer who reviews the compliance position, drafts the contracts correctly, documents data processing and consent, and responds promptly to incidents turns a vulnerable operation into a resilient one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is IT law in Turkey?

IT law in Turkey is the area of law that governs technology and the internet. It covers e-commerce, software, digital contracts, personal data protection, cybersecurity, cybercrime, online content, social media, intellectual property in digital products, platform liability, and technology disputes. It applies to any business that operates online or relies on technology.

Do I need an IT lawyer in Turkey?

For any business that processes personal data, sells online, develops or licenses software, or operates a digital platform, legal advice is strongly recommended. An IT lawyer helps with compliance, drafts technology contracts, advises on data protection and cybersecurity, and represents the business in disputes, which reduces the risk of sanctions and litigation.

Does a website in Turkey need a privacy policy and terms of use?

In practice, yes. A website that collects personal data needs a privacy policy and the disclosures required under KVKK, and terms of use are important for defining the legal relationship with users. An e-commerce website has additional obligations under the electronic commerce and consumer protection rules. These documents should reflect Turkish law rather than be copied from a foreign template.

What is KVKK compliance in Turkey?

KVKK compliance means meeting the requirements of the Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698. This includes processing personal data only on a valid legal basis, providing the required disclosures to individuals, obtaining consent where it is needed, keeping proper records, applying appropriate security measures, and meeting data controller registration obligations where they apply.

Does GDPR apply to companies doing business in Turkey?

The EU General Data Protection Regulation can apply to a company based in Turkey if it offers goods or services to individuals in the European Union or monitors their behaviour. A Turkish business that serves EU customers may therefore need to comply with both KVKK and GDPR. A lawyer can assess whether GDPR applies to a particular business.

What should a software development contract include in Turkey?

A software development contract should clearly define the scope of work, the delivery and acceptance process, payment terms, warranties and maintenance, confidentiality, liability, and, importantly, the ownership of the resulting software and its intellectual property. Clear terms on these points prevent the disputes that commonly arise in development projects.

Who owns software created by a developer in Turkey?

Ownership depends on the contract and the circumstances. Software is protected under Turkish copyright law, and the rights do not always pass to the client automatically simply because the client paid for the work. To ensure the client owns the software, the contract should expressly address the transfer of rights. This is why a written, reviewed development contract is essential.

What should I do after a data breach in Turkey?

After a data breach, a data controller should act promptly to contain the incident, assess what data was affected, and comply with its notification obligations, which can include notifying the data protection authority and the affected individuals. Because the response is time sensitive and can affect later liability, it is advisable to obtain legal advice immediately.

Can online defamatory content be removed in Turkey?

Yes. Turkish internet legislation provides procedures for the removal of unlawful content and for access blocking, which can be used against online defamation, insult, and privacy violations. Depending on the situation, these procedures can be pursued alongside a criminal complaint or a civil claim. A lawyer can advise on the most effective combination.

How can I file a cybercrime complaint in Turkey?

A cybercrime complaint is generally filed with the public prosecutor’s office or the police, setting out the alleged offence and the supporting digital evidence. Because cybercrime cases depend heavily on evidence such as logs, messages, and account records, it is important to preserve this evidence and to seek legal advice promptly.

Can Karanfiloglu Law Firm help foreign technology companies remotely?

Yes. We regularly act for technology companies and digital businesses that are not based in Turkey. Documents can be reviewed electronically, consultations can be held by video call, and where we need to act on the client’s behalf in Turkey this is arranged through a power of attorney. Distance is not an obstacle to receiving proper legal support.

What documents are needed for an IT law dispute in Turkey?

Useful documents commonly include the relevant contracts and policies, website links, screenshots, server logs, correspondence, platform messages, data processing and breach records, and any complaint notices or administrative letters. A power of attorney is needed for a lawyer to act. The exact documents depend on the nature of the dispute.

Contact Karanfiloglu Law Firm

Whether you need help with data protection compliance, a software or technology contract, an e-commerce website, a cybercrime matter, or an online content dispute, the earlier you obtain legal advice, the stronger your position is likely to be. Karanfiloglu Law Firm advises Turkish and international clients on IT law in Turkey from our office in Istanbul, and we work with technology companies and digital businesses across the country and abroad.

To discuss your IT law or technology law matter, contact our Istanbul law firm to book a legal consultation. We will review your situation, explain your options clearly, and tell you how we can help. We do not guarantee any particular legal outcome, but we are committed to careful, honest, and practical legal work focused on protecting your interests.

Karanfiloglu Law Firm, Istanbul, Turkey. IT law and technology law services available in English, French, and Turkish, and in Russian and Chinese with our in-house translators.

This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified lawyer.