# New Regulation in Turkey Requires Social Media Platforms to Incorporate Locally and Obtain Operating Licenses

**New Draft Regulation in Türkiye Requires Social Media Platforms to Incorporate Locally and Obtain Operating Licenses**

**April 2025 | Digital Compliance | Türkiye**

The Turkish Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) has released a draft amendment to the *Authorization Regulation on the Electronic Communications Sector*. The proposal introduces a significant regulatory shift that will impact social media platforms with substantial user bases in Türkiye.

### Key Obligations for Platforms with Over 1 Million Users

Under the current regulatory framework, social media platforms with more than 1 million users in Türkiye are required to appoint a local representative. The draft regulation builds on this requirement and mandates that such platforms must:

* Establish a **joint-stock (anonim) or limited liability company (limited)** under Turkish law,
    
* Obtain a formal **authorization (license) from BTK**, and
    
* Ensure that, if the parent company is based abroad, the Turkish entity is wholly owned by the foreign entity.
    

This requirement applies to platforms classified as **"over-the-top" (OTT) service providers**, including — but not limited to — Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), WhatsApp, and YouTube. These platforms provide internet-based services that allow users to perform transactions and communications independently of traditional telecom infrastructure.

The new authorization requirement is expected to take effect from **1 January 2026**.

### New Access Blocking Powers for BTK

One of the most notable elements of the draft is a proposed amendment granting BTK the authority to **block access** to OTT services:

> “In the interest of national security, public order, public health, or other public interest concerns, the Authority may order the direct blocking of access to OTT service providers, regardless of whether they are authorized.”

This broadens BTK’s regulatory powers and introduces a compliance risk for global platforms operating without local authorization.

### Additional Compliance Requirements

OTT service providers subject to authorization will also be required to comply with a wide range of legal and regulatory obligations in Türkiye, including:

* Payment of **authorization fees** and **universal service contribution charges**,
    
* Compliance with administrative sanctions under applicable Turkish laws,
    
* Adherence to regulatory obligations concerning:
    
    * Network and information security,
        
    * Personal data protection,
        
    * Consumer protection,
        
    * Competition law and fair market practices,
        
    * Public order and national security,
        
    * Interoperability,
        
    * Reporting of security incidents and sectoral data to BTK.
        

Furthermore, BTK may issue additional regulations to address developments in the sector or to enhance oversight capacity.

### Sanctions for Non-Compliance

The proposed regulation introduces a tiered enforcement structure:

* Companies operating without authorization may be subject to **administrative fines ranging from TRY 1 million to TRY 30 million**.
    
* Failure to obtain authorization within six months may result in **a 95% reduction in bandwidth**.
    
* Continued non-compliance within three months following the initial period may lead to **complete blocking of access** to the service.
    
* In cases of serious non-compliance, authorization may be denied for up to **three years**.
    

### Strategic Considerations for International Platforms

This regulatory development underscores Türkiye’s commitment to assert greater oversight over foreign digital platforms operating within its jurisdiction. Companies affected by this draft should proactively assess their **corporate structuring**, **data governance**, and **licensing strategies** in light of the proposed changes.

### Next Steps

* **The draft is currently open for public consultation.** Interested parties are encouraged to submit their feedback to BTK.
    
* Companies that may fall within the scope of the regulation should begin evaluating their presence and compliance posture in Türkiye.
    
* Internal compliance, legal, and regulatory affairs teams should consider **scenario planning** in preparation for the 1 January 2026 deadline.
    

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**How We Can Help**

Our team regularly advises technology companies and digital platforms on cross-border regulatory compliance, data governance, and market entry in Türkiye. If you would like to discuss how the new regulatory requirements may affect your operations, please contact us:

📧 info@ozmconsultancy.com  
📞 +90 216 352 29 61  
🌐 www.ozmconsultancy.com

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