ÖSYM responds to allegations of 'tampering with preferences'

According to ÖSYM's statement, operations within the preference system are managed while protecting candidates' user information. The institution warned that the allegations of preference tampering might stem from candidates sharing their passwords and identification details.

Were university preferences changed by breaching the ÖSYM website? A university candidate noticed that their preferences had been changed at the last minute. The family filed a criminal complaint, alleging that the system was breached and changes were made without their knowledge.

According to a report by journalist İsmail Saymaz, a candidate in İzmir had listed state university medical faculties in their top 22 choices based on their score and completed their preferences. Upon checking the next morning, the candidate saw that their preferences had been changed and that private university elderly care programs, which they had not selected, had been added; they subsequently filed a complaint regarding the incident.

6 VICTIMS

The candidate, who submitted a petition to ÖSYM, filed a lawsuit in the administrative court for cancellation. According to the report, there are 6 victims in similar situations who claim their preferences were changed. Following the report, ÖSYM took action and initiated a comprehensive technical investigation into their systems.

ÖSYM: NO DATA LEAK DETECTED

ÖSYM issued a statement after completing its technical investigations into the matter.

The statement indicated that no data leak had been detected and emphasized that keeping candidates' user information confidential is entirely their own responsibility.

The statement included the following remarks: "News reports have appeared in some media outlets and on social media platforms claiming that the YKS preferences of 6 candidates were changed.

User information contained in the information systems of the Measurement, Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM) is stored securely.

No data leaks, including user information, have been detected in the Candidate Transactions System (AİS) offered by our Presidency.

Examples of problems arising from candidates sharing their Turkish ID numbers and AİS passwords with others have been reflected in the press and have been the subject of news reports in previous years.

It must be importantly stated that keeping candidates' user information confidential is entirely their own responsibility, and it is of great importance that they do not share their Turkish ID numbers and AİS passwords with others."

"SOMEONE ELSE MAY HAVE CHANGED IT USING THE PASSWORD SHARED BY THE CANDIDATE"

Evaluating the issue, Education Expert Sadık Gültekin said, "In all research conducted to date, the result has always been this: it is not possible for such a thing to happen without the student's consent. This person may make a number of changes because they shared that password with good intentions and trust, without the other person's consent later on."

News Source: 12punto