Information Technology Lawyer in Istanbul, Turkey

What Is Information Technology Law in Turkey?

Information technology law is not contained in a single Turkish statute.

Instead, a technology business may have to comply with several areas of law depending on what it does, what information it handles, how its technology is used and where its customers or service providers are located.

 

The legal framework may involve:

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• Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698;

• electronic commerce legislation;

• electronic communications legislation;

• cybersecurity legislation;

• intellectual property legislation;

• electronic signature rules;

• consumer protection legislation;

• internet and online-content legislation;

• commercial and contract law;

• competition law;

• employment law;

• financial and payment-services regulations;

• sector-specific rules;

• criminal law provisions concerning cyber offences.

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The Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698, for example, regulates the processing of personal data and establishes obligations for persons and organisations processing such data. The official English text of Law No. 6698 published by the Personal Data Protection Authority provides an accessible reference to the legislation.

 

Similarly, Turkey's electronic commerce framework is built around Law No. 6563 and its secondary legislation. The Turkish Ministry of Trade's electronic commerce legislation provides the current legislative framework and related regulations.

 

For a technology business, the practical question is therefore not simply "What is Turkish IT law?" It is which rules apply to this particular technology, transaction, data flow or service?

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How Turkish IT Law Can Affect a Technology Business

Technology businesses often encounter legal issues at several points in their operations.

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A company may need legal advice when it:

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• develops or purchases software;

• licenses technology;

• launches a mobile application;

• operates a website or digital platform;

• provides SaaS or cloud services;

• collects customer information;

• transfers data abroad;

• sends commercial electronic messages;

• operates an online marketplace;

• uses artificial intelligence;

• engages third-party developers;

• outsources IT infrastructure;

• experiences a cybersecurity incident;

• acquires another technology company;

• raises investment;

• licenses intellectual property;

• enters an international technology transaction;

• becomes involved in a technology dispute.

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Good IT legal advice should fit the actual technology rather than forcing the business into a generic compliance template.

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Information Technology Legal Services in Turkey

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Technology Contracts and IT Agreements

Technology contracts determine much more than the price of a service.

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They can establish who owns the software, who bears responsibility for security, who can use the technology, what happens if the system fails and what happens to data and intellectual property when the relationship ends.

 

Kurucuk & Associates advises on the preparation, review and negotiation of technology agreements, including:

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• software development agreements;

• software licence agreements;

• SaaS agreements;

• cloud computing agreements;

• IT outsourcing agreements;

• hosting agreements;

• maintenance and support agreements;

• service-level agreements;

• technology transfer agreements;

• reseller and distribution agreements;

• API and integration agreements;

• source-code escrow arrangements;

• confidentiality agreements;

• data processing agreements;

• platform terms and conditions;

• technology-related commercial agreements.

 

Important contractual issues can include ownership, licensing, acceptance procedures, warranties, service levels, cybersecurity, confidentiality, data protection, indemnities, liability limitations, termination and post-termination obligations.

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Software Development Agreements

Software development projects can become legally complicated when the original commercial arrangement does not clearly define ownership and responsibility.

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A properly structured agreement may need to answer questions such as:

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• Who owns the source code?

• Which party owns pre-existing software?

• Does the client receive an assignment or merely a licence?

• Can the developer reuse components?

• How are third-party libraries handled?

• What happens when specifications change?

• What constitutes acceptance?

• Who is responsible for security vulnerabilities?

• What happens if the developer misses a deadline?

• What happens to source code and documentation after termination?

 

These questions are particularly important where the software is central to the client's business.

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SaaS and Cloud Computing Agreements

Cloud services have changed the way businesses purchase and operate technology.

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Instead of buying and maintaining software locally, a customer may access a service operated by a provider, while the underlying infrastructure is supplied by one or more third parties.

 

A SaaS or cloud agreement may therefore need to address:

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• service availability;

• data ownership;

• personal data processing;

• international data transfers;

• hosting locations;

• subcontractors;

• cybersecurity;

• incident reporting;

• backup and disaster recovery;

• service levels;

• intellectual property;

• audit rights;

• liability;

• business continuity;

• termination;

• data export and portability;

• secure deletion.

 

The contract should make sense alongside the actual technical architecture. A cloud agreement that does not reflect how the service processes or stores data can leave important legal questions unanswered.

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Personal Data Protection and Privacy

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KVKK Compliance for Technology Businesses

Personal data is present in almost every digital business.

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A website may collect customer details. A mobile application may process location information. An employer may use cloud-based HR systems. A marketplace may process information relating to buyers and sellers.

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Turkey's principal personal data legislation is Law No. 6698 on the Protection of Personal Data. The Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK) publishes the legislation, Board decisions, guidance and regulatory information relevant to organisations processing personal data.

 

Depending on the circumstances, IT and data-protection advice may cover:

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• identifying the data controller and processor;

• determining processing purposes;

• assessing legal bases for processing;

• privacy notices;

• data processing agreements;

• employee data;

• customer data;

• special categories of personal data;

• data retention;

• deletion, destruction and anonymisation;

• data-security measures;

• data-subject requests;

• international data transfers;

• VERBIS obligations;

• personal data breach response.

 

The KVKK rules on erasure, destruction and anonymisation are particularly relevant when businesses design retention and deletion procedures.

 

Businesses that may be subject to registration requirements should also examine the Data Controllers' Registry regulations and the applicable current guidance from the Authority.

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International Data Transfers

Cross-border data flows are now part of ordinary technology operations.

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A Turkish company might use a cloud provider based abroad, transfer information to a foreign group company, provide services to international customers or use an overseas software vendor.

 

In such circumstances, the legal analysis should identify:

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• what personal data is being transferred;

• who is transferring it;

• who receives it;

• where the recipient is located;

• the legal mechanism supporting the transfer;

• what contractual protections apply;

• whether additional regulatory requirements arise.

 

The rules governing international transfers under Turkish data protection law have developed significantly, so businesses should work from the current legislation and official KVKK guidance and decisions rather than relying on older templates.

 

Where the same business is also subject to European data protection law, Turkish requirements and GDPR requirements may need to be analysed separately and then coordinated.

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Data Breaches and Cybersecurity

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Legal Response to a Data Breach

A cyber incident can quickly move from an IT problem to a legal and regulatory matter.

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An organisation may need to determine:

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1. what happened;

2. when the incident occurred;

3. which systems were affected;

4. whether personal data was involved;

5. what categories of information were exposed;

6. whose data was affected;

7. whether evidence has been preserved;

8. whether regulatory notification is required;

9. whether contractual notification duties apply;

10. what remedial measures should follow.

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The Turkish Data Protection Authority has published specific rules and decisions concerning personal data breach notifications. Organisations should therefore assess the applicable notification requirements promptly after becoming aware of an incident.

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The KVKK's official data-breach resources provide access to current decisions, announcements and regulatory material.

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Cybersecurity Is Also a Contractual Issue

Cybersecurity is not only about firewalls and technical controls.

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Contracts can determine:

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• who must maintain security measures;

• who investigates an incident;

• how quickly a party must notify another party;

• who bears remediation costs;

• whether customers can audit security controls;

• what happens when a subcontractor causes an incident;

• how confidential information must be protected.

 

Technology contracts should therefore allocate cybersecurity responsibilities clearly before an incident occurs.

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Turkey's Cybersecurity Law

Turkey's cybersecurity framework has also developed through the adoption of Law No. 7545, the Cybersecurity Law.

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The law was adopted on 12 March 2025 and published in the Official Gazette on 19 March 2025. The official Turkish Grand National Assembly record for Law No. 7545 provides the legislative history and official information.

 

The law forms part of a broader Turkish cybersecurity framework concerning the protection of cyberspace and the response to cyber threats.

 

For businesses operating technology infrastructure, legal review may therefore involve both general contractual and data-protection duties and sector-specific cybersecurity requirements.

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Electronic Commerce and Digital Platforms

E-Commerce Law in Turkey

Turkey's electronic commerce regime is principally based on Law No. 6563 on the Regulation of Electronic Commerce and its secondary legislation.

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The Ministry of Trade's official e-commerce legislation page provides access to the principal legislation and regulations.

 

The framework can be particularly important for:

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• online merchants;

• marketplace operators;

• intermediary service providers;

• digital service businesses;

• subscription businesses;

• online platforms;

• businesses sending commercial electronic messages.

 

The Ministry of Trade also maintains an official electronic commerce legislation database identifying the relevant legislation and secondary regulations.

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Marketplace and Platform Businesses

An online marketplace is not necessarily subject to exactly the same legal considerations as a business selling its own products online.

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A marketplace may have additional responsibilities concerning:

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• sellers;

• consumer information;

• intermediary arrangements;

• unlawful content;

• intellectual property complaints;

• commercial communications;

• transaction records;

• platform policies;

• regulatory reporting.

 

The precise obligations depend on the platform's structure and activities.

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E-Commerce Thresholds and Current Rules

The Turkish e-commerce regulatory framework continues to develop.

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The Ministry of Trade announced in 2026 that monetary thresholds used for certain obligations under Law No. 6563 had been updated based on the change in electronic commerce volume during 2025. Businesses relying on historical threshold figures should therefore verify the current position through the Ministry of Trade's latest official announcements rather than relying on older online articles.

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Commercial Electronic Messages and IYS

Digital businesses frequently communicate with customers by email, SMS, telephone and other electronic channels.

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Turkey regulates commercial electronic communications under the electronic commerce framework.

 

The Ministry of Trade's information on the Electronic Message Management System (İYS) explains the system used for managing commercial electronic message consents and rejection rights.

 

Technology companies may therefore need to consider:

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• obtaining consent where required;

• maintaining consent records;

• withdrawal of consent;

• commercial communication rules;

• message content;

• sender identification;

• intermediary responsibilities.

 

These matters should be considered when designing a company's customer communication system, not only after complaints arise.

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Electronic Signatures and Digital Transactions

Electronic contracting is now routine for many businesses.

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Turkey has a statutory framework for electronic signatures under Law No. 5070 on Electronic Signatures.

 

The BTK's official electronic signature resources provide access to the applicable legislation and regulatory framework. The BTK's electronic signature information page also explains the legal framework surrounding electronic signatures.

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The legal analysis may concern:

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• validity of electronic execution;

• secure electronic signatures;

• authentication;

• electronic records;

• evidentiary value;

• electronic contracts;

• registered electronic mail;

• digital identity and verification.

 

The Ministry of Trade's overview of Turkey's digital-commerce legislation also identifies electronic commerce, electronic communications and electronic signature legislation within the broader digital business environment.

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Electronic Communications and Telecommunications

Not every technology company is an electronic communications operator.

Where a business does fall within the electronic communications sector, however, additional regulatory requirements may apply.

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The framework includes Law No. 5809 on Electronic Communications, with the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) responsible for important regulatory and supervisory functions.

 

BTK's official strategic materials describe regulatory areas including authorisation, tariffs, access and interconnection, spectrum management, technical regulation, competition and consumer rights.

 

Businesses operating in this field may therefore need advice on:

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• authorisation;

• regulatory compliance;

• electronic communications contracts;

• consumer obligations;

• network and information security;

• numbering;

• infrastructure;

• access and interconnection;

• sector-specific disputes.

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Software and Intellectual Property

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Protecting Software and Digital Assets

For many technology businesses, intellectual property is the business.

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The valuable asset may be:

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• source code;

• software architecture;

• algorithms;

• databases;

• technical documentation;

• user interfaces;

• trademarks;

• domain names;

• designs;

• proprietary processes;

• trade secrets;

• digital content.

 

Different assets may receive different forms of legal protection.

Turkey's industrial property framework includes Law No. 6769 on Industrial Property. The Turkish Patent and Trademark Office's official legislation database provides access to Law No. 6769 and related regulations.

 

Technology businesses should also consider the rules applicable to copyright and software, together with contractual arrangements that establish ownership and permitted use.

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Software Licensing

A software licence should reflect how the software will actually be used.

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Depending on the transaction, the agreement may need to address:

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• permitted users;

• territory;

• duration;

• exclusivity;

• sublicensing;

• modification;

• source-code access;

• updates;

• maintenance;

• support;

• audit rights;

• termination;

• intellectual property ownership.

 

A licence that appears straightforward at first may become difficult to interpret when a business expands into new territories or changes its technology stack.

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Open-Source Software

Open-source software can be an important part of commercial technology products.

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The fact that software is openly available does not mean that its licensing conditions can be ignored.

 

Businesses should understand the licences attached to third-party components and consider matters such as:

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• attribution;

• redistribution;

• modification;

• source-code obligations;

• licence compatibility;

• internal software policies;

• disclosure requirements.

 

This can be particularly important during technology investment or M&A due diligence.

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Technology Transactions and M&A

Technology businesses are often acquired because of their intellectual property, software, customer base, data, technical team or platform.

A technology-focused legal due diligence may therefore examine:

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Intellectual Property

• Who owns the source code?

• Were employee and contractor rights properly assigned?

• Are trademarks registered?

• Are third-party licences being used?

• Is open-source software incorporated into the product?

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Data

• What personal data is processed?

• Where is it stored?

• Are international transfers involved?

• Are data-processing arrangements properly documented?

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Contracts

• Are key customer contracts transferable?

• Can important agreements be terminated following a change of control?

• Are liability provisions commercially acceptable?

• Are important technology suppliers properly contracted?

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Cybersecurity

• Have there been previous incidents?

• Are security obligations documented?

• Are there outstanding regulatory issues?

• Does the business have appropriate incident-response procedures?

 

A technology acquisition can therefore require coordination between corporate, commercial, intellectual property, data protection and IT lawyers.

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Artificial Intelligence and Turkish Technology Law

Artificial intelligence is creating new legal questions for businesses developing and using automated systems.

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An AI project may involve several separate legal issues:

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• personal data;

• confidentiality;

• intellectual property;

• software ownership;

• contractual responsibility;

• cybersecurity;

• automated decision-making;

• consumer protection;

• employment;

• sector-specific regulation;

• international compliance.

 

The legal analysis should start with the actual AI system rather than simply labelling a project as "AI."

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For example, an AI system processing employee information raises different questions from an AI tool generating marketing material, while a system used in a regulated sector may create additional obligations.

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Businesses should also consider how Turkish rules interact with the laws of countries where their products or services are offered.

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Fintech, Blockchain and Digital Assets

Technology businesses operating in finance may face a combination of IT, commercial and financial regulation.

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Depending on the business model, legal advice may concern:

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• payment services;

• financial regulation;

• digital assets;

• anti-money laundering requirements;

• customer identification;

• cybersecurity;

• personal data;

• outsourcing;

• licensing;

• consumer protection;

• contractual arrangements.

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For businesses in this area, technology law should generally be considered together with banking and finance law, fintech regulation and commercial law.

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Cybercrime and Internet Disputes

A technology-related dispute can sometimes become both a civil and criminal matter.

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Potential issues include:

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• unauthorised access;

• unlawful acquisition or use of data;

• online fraud;

• identity misuse;

• account compromise;

• intellectual property infringement;

• unlawful disclosure of confidential information;

• online defamation;

• domain disputes;

• misuse of digital systems.

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Turkey's digital legal framework also includes Law No. 5651, concerning internet publications and combating certain offences committed through such publications. The Ministry of Trade's official overview of digital-commerce legislation identifies Law No. 5651 among the legislation forming part of Turkey's digital regulatory environment.

 

Where litigation or criminal proceedings are contemplated, preservation of electronic evidence can be critical.

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Logs, emails, messages, system records, contracts and other digital material should be preserved carefully and promptly.

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IT Litigation and Technology Disputes

Technology disputes can arise even where the parties initially had a strong commercial relationship.

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Examples include:

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• software development disputes;

• unpaid technology service fees;

• source-code ownership disputes;

• licence violations;

• SaaS service failures;

• cloud-service disputes;

• confidentiality breaches;

• cybersecurity incidents;

• data-related claims;

• intellectual property infringement;

• platform disputes;

• termination of technology contracts.

 

Before commencing proceedings, it is often important to review the contract carefully.

 

Questions concerning governing law, jurisdiction, arbitration, mediation, liability limitations, notice requirements and evidence can influence how a dispute should be handled.

 

Where appropriate, arbitration or mediation may provide an alternative to ordinary court proceedings.

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Technology Businesses Operating Across Borders

A technology business can be incorporated in Turkey while serving customers in Europe, the Middle East, North America or Asia.

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It can also be the Turkish subsidiary of an international technology group.

Cross-border technology work may therefore involve several legal systems at once.

 

A Turkish technology company expanding abroad may need to consider foreign rules relating to:

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• data protection;

• consumer rights;

• intellectual property;

• electronic commerce;

• cybersecurity;

• digital services;

• advertising;

• financial regulation.

 

Conversely, an overseas technology company entering the Turkish market may need to understand Turkish rules before launching its website, application, marketplace or digital service.

 

The appropriate legal structure depends on the business model and the jurisdictions involved.

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Why Technology Law Requires a Practical Approach

A technology contract cannot always be understood by reading the contract alone.

Suppose a SaaS agreement says that customer information is stored securely.

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A lawyer may still need to understand:

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• where the information is stored;

• which cloud providers are used;

• who can access it;

• whether subcontractors have access;

• whether data leaves Turkey;

• what happens after termination;

• how backups are handled;

• how security incidents are reported.

 

The same principle applies to software ownership.

 

It is not enough to write "all intellectual property belongs to the client" if the development relationship involves employees, freelancers, open-source components and third-party libraries whose rights are governed by different arrangements.

 

Good technology legal work therefore begins with the business and the technology, and then connects those facts to the applicable law.

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How Kurucuk & Associates Advises on Turkish IT Law

At Kurucuk & Associates, we approach technology matters by first understanding the client's actual operation.

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Depending on the matter, we may examine:

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1. the technology or digital service;

2. the business model;

3. the parties involved;

4. the data being processed;

5. the location of customers and service providers;

6. the contractual structure;

7. intellectual property ownership;

8. cybersecurity arrangements;

9. applicable regulatory requirements;

10. potential disputes or enforcement risks.

 

This approach can be particularly useful for businesses where technology, commercial operations and regulatory compliance overlap.

 

Our technology practice can also work alongside our commercial, contract, intellectual property, banking and finance, fintech, competition, employment, corporate and dispute-resolution practices where a matter requires broader legal support.

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Frequently Asked Questions About IT Law in Turkey

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What does an IT lawyer in Turkey do?

An IT lawyer advises on legal issues connected with software, technology contracts, data protection, cybersecurity, electronic commerce, digital platforms, intellectual property, electronic transactions and technology-related disputes.

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Is there one IT law in Turkey?

No. Turkish IT law is an interdisciplinary field involving several statutes, regulations and regulatory authorities. The applicable rules depend on the technology and activity involved.

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Does KVKK apply to technology companies?

If a business processes personal data within the scope of Law No. 6698, it must assess its obligations under the Turkish data-protection framework. The official text of the Personal Data Protection Law sets out the principal statutory framework.

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Does a SaaS company need a data processing agreement?

A SaaS arrangement involving personal data may require appropriate contractual provisions governing processing responsibilities, security, confidentiality and other relevant matters. The exact documentation depends on the relationship and the data-processing structure.

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What should a company do after a cybersecurity incident?

The company should promptly contain and investigate the incident, preserve evidence, determine whether personal data is involved, assess regulatory and contractual notification duties and take appropriate remedial measures.

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Does Turkish e-commerce law apply to online marketplaces?

Potentially. The applicable obligations depend on the marketplace's role, structure and activities. Law No. 6563 and its secondary legislation are central to the Turkish e-commerce framework. The Ministry of Trade's official legislation page provides current regulatory material.

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Are electronic signatures recognised in Turkey?

Yes. Turkey has a statutory framework under Law No. 5070 on Electronic Signatures. The BTK's electronic signature legislation provides official regulatory information.

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How is software protected in Turkey?

Software and related digital assets may receive protection under applicable copyright and intellectual-property rules, while contracts can establish ownership, licensing and permitted use. Industrial property matters can also involve the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office.

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Does Turkish law regulate cybersecurity?

Yes. Cybersecurity obligations arise from various laws and sector-specific rules, and Turkey adopted Law No. 7545, the Cybersecurity Law, in 2025. The official TBMM record for Law No. 7545 records its adoption and publication details.

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Can technology disputes be arbitrated in Turkey?

Depending on the dispute and the parties' agreement, arbitration may be available. The arbitration clause, governing law, parties, subject matter and applicable procedural rules should be reviewed before relying on arbitration.

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Information Technology Lawyer in Istanbul for Turkish and International Clients

Technology businesses need legal advice that keeps pace with the way their products and services actually work.

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A software developer may need help protecting its code. A SaaS provider may need to structure its customer agreements and data-processing arrangements. An e-commerce platform may need to understand marketplace obligations. A multinational company may need to coordinate Turkish data protection with its international compliance program. A business affected by a cyber incident may need immediate advice on evidence, contracts, regulatory duties and potential claims.

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These are different problems, even though all of them fall within the broad field of information technology law.

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Kurucuk & Associates advises Turkish and international clients in Istanbul and throughout Turkey on information technology law, technology contracts, data protection, cybersecurity, e-commerce, software, intellectual property, electronic transactions and technology-related disputes.

 

Our approach is designed to connect the legal advice to the client's technology, commercial objectives and actual operational structure.

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Related Legal Services

Technology matters frequently overlap with other areas of Turkish law. Depending on the circumstances, clients may also require advice concerning:

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• Turkish Personal Data Protection Law

• Turkish AI Law

• Fintech Law

• Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Law

• Telecommunication Law

• Turkish Intellectual Property Law

• Cyber Crime Law

• Commercial Law

• Contract Law

• Banking and Finance Law

• International Transactions and Dispute Resolution

• Competition Law

• Arbitration Law

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Official Turkish Sources for Information Technology Law

For businesses wanting to check legislation and regulatory developments directly, the following official institutions are particularly relevant:

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• Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK) — personal data protection legislation, Board decisions, guidance and regulatory information.

• Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) — electronic communications, electronic signatures and related regulatory matters.

• Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Türkiye — electronic commerce, commercial electronic communications and related commercial regulations.

• Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT) — industrial property legislation, patents and trademarks.

• Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM) — legislation, parliamentary records and enacted laws.

• Official Gazette of the Republic of Türkiye — published laws, regulations and other official legal instruments.

• Legislation Information System — Turkish legislation and regulations.

• Competition Authority — competition rules and decisions relevant to digital and technology markets.

• Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance General Directorate — consumer protection matters relevant to online businesses.

• Presidency Digital Transformation Office — public-sector digital transformation and related governmental initiatives.

• Cybersecurity Presidency — Turkey's institutional cybersecurity framework and related developments.

 

These sources are useful starting points, but the application of Turkish IT law ultimately depends on the particular technology, transaction, business structure and facts involved.