The "Regulation on the Provision of Services Specifically for Children by Social Network Providers and Age Verification," prepared by the Presidency's Cyber Security Directorate, has been published in the Official Gazette and has entered into force.
AGE LIMIT FOR CHILDREN ON SOCIAL MEDIA
With the regulation, which covers domestic and foreign social network providers that provide access from Turkey, new obligations have been introduced for the protection of children on social media platforms. Accordingly, platforms will not be able to provide services to children under the age of 15.
AGE VERIFICATION WILL BE DONE VIA E-DEVLET
Age determination will be carried out through the e-Devlet Gateway. Upon the user's request, an "age verification token" will be created on e-Devlet by the Cyber Security Directorate. The user will upload this token to the social network where they wish to open an account. Platforms will complete the process by confirming only whether the user has reached the age of 15 and whether they have reached the age of 18.
DEADLINE FOR EXISTING ACCOUNTS IS MARCH 31, 2027
A calendar has also been set for existing accounts that were opened before the regulation and have not undergone age verification. Social network providers will be obliged to complete the age verification processes for all existing users by March 31, 2027.
ACCOUNTS WITHOUT AGE VERIFICATION WILL BE CLOSED
Accounts of users who are determined to be under 15 years of age during reviews or who do not perform age verification by this date will be closed after notification. Users will be able to object to account closure decisions free of charge; their data will not be deleted until the objection process is completed.
SEPARATE PRIVACY RULES FOR THE 15-17 AGE GROUP
The regulation also provides for special privacy and security provisions for users in the 15-17 age range. Accounts in this age group will be private by default; platforms will not be able to offer the option to make these accounts public.
WHO WILL BE ABLE TO SEND MESSAGES TO YOUNG USERS?
Young users will only be able to receive messages from accounts they follow. Third parties will not be able to see the follower and following lists of these accounts. Furthermore, live broadcasting through these accounts will be prevented.
CHILDREN'S DATA CANNOT BE USED FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES
Personal data belonging to children cannot be processed for the purpose of profiling or presenting personalized commercial advertisements.
SUPERVISION AND APPROVAL AUTHORITY FOR PARENTS
With the supervision tools to be offered to parents, the time children spend on platforms can be limited; in-app purchases, rentals, and membership transactions can be made subject to parental approval.
News Source: 12punto
