Record fine from the Ministry of Trade for Cem Özkök, known for his cleaning videos: He rebelled against the amount he paid

Social media influencer Cem Özkök, known for the cleaning videos he posts on social media, has been fined for failing to include the 'advertisement' label while promoting products.

Announcing the development on his social media account, Cem Özkök expressed his outrage at the Ministry of Trade.

In his statement, Özkök asked, “Now I ask, is this fair? Is it truly lawful?”

The following statements in Cem Özkök's reaction post, who was penalized on the grounds of engaging in 'stealth advertising', drew attention:

"While there are those who run fake advertisements 24/7 for money, it is truly shameful what was done to someone who does such beneficial work in Turkey, produces content, starts aid projects—especially the cleaning of all public environmental spaces—invests their own earnings into charitable works, helps those in need, raises public awareness, lives an honest and righteous life, serves as a role model for young people and all ages, fears God, earns honest money, and pays as much in taxes to this state as a factory does."

500 THOUSAND TL FINE FOR CEM ÖZKÖK

The entirety of Özkök's post is as follows:

"To the Ministry of Trade;

I just paid a 500 thousand TL fine. And all because I didn't write 'ad' on just one story while talking about the lavender oil of my own brand, Ceef. (I posted hundreds of stories indicating #ad, and Turkey knows it is my own brand). They said, 'this is hidden advertising,' and I said, 'it is my own brand, here is my sign, my company information, my taxes, etc., etc.' They said, 'you should have written ad,' and that's a #500 thousand TL fine.

Now I ask, is this fair? Is it truly earned? For instance, if there were a genuine case of undisclosed advertising or a situation contrary to the declaration, I would share it openly, and that would be fine. I would say they are right and pay up like a lion. But in this situation, I do not grant my blessing.

Why, you ask? Everyone knows everything that is going on, the frauds, the tax evaders, this and that. I haven't opened my mouth to say a single word once. While all this is happening, while there are so many schemes, while there are those who run fake advertisements 24/7 for money, a great injustice has truly been done to someone in Turkey who does such beneficial work, produces content, starts aid projects—especially the cleaning of all public environmental spaces—invests the money they earn into charitable works, helps those in need, raises public awareness, lives a righteous and honest life, sets an example for young people and all ages, has a fear of God, earns honest money, and pays as much tax to this state as a factory does.

There must be a silver lining to this, too. God will provide in a lawful way from somewhere else. That is a separate matter! But you cannot penalize someone who gives this much for their own brand! It is not right! Perhaps I was going to use that money to help someone? I found someone new in need, I was going to renovate their home? Why did I throw this money away unjustly? Now I ask; is this not an infringement of rights? My lawyer has filed a lawsuit against this injustice and is following the process. Everyone reaps what they sow in their heart..."