Yes, ad blockers are legal in Turkey, but their use is tightly constrained by local digital advertising and consumer protection laws. The Information and Technology Authority (BTK) and the Turkish Competition Authority (RK) oversee compliance, particularly regarding unfair commercial practices and data privacy under the 2024 Digital Services Law amendments. Publishers and advertisers have increasingly pursued legal remedies against circumvention, citing violations of the Turkish Commercial Code and Law No. 6563 on the Regulation of Electronic Commerce.
Key Regulations for Ad Blockers in Turkey
- Unfair Competition Prohibition: Under Article 57 of the Turkish Commercial Code, ad blocking that disrupts legitimate digital advertising may constitute unfair competition if it causes measurable financial harm to publishers or advertisers.
- Data Privacy Compliance: The Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK) mandates that ad blockers must not interfere with user tracking mechanisms that are legally required for consent management under the KVKK Regulation on Advertising and Commercial Communication.
- Digital Services Law (2024): Mandates transparency in digital content monetization; ad blockers that circumvent publisher-approved revenue models may face injunctions under Article 12, which prohibits the circumvention of technical protection measures for commercial gain.