Turkish Advertisement Board Has Taken Significant Decisions Concerning Online Shopping Site Membership Terms and Deceptive Advertisements within the Scope of Digital Consumer Protection

At the March 12, 2024 dated and 343 numbered meeting of the Turkish Advertisement Board ("Board") attached to the Ministry of Trade ("Ministry"), total of 17 million 37 thousand 891 Turkish Liras administrative fine were imposed on advertisements and unfair commercial practices that mislead consumers, as well as website designs that process consumers' personal data without consumers' consent were examined.

• The following points were noted at the meeting:

• Within the scope of advertisements that deceive consumers, exploit their lack of experience and knowledge, and unfair commercial practices, 119 of the 134 files on the subject agenda were found to be in violation of the legislation and given administrative fines as well as suspension and correction penalties,
• According to the report prepared within the scope of the Digital Consumer Protection Project, one out of every two consumers are concerned about sharing their personal data,
• Seven out of every ten consumers tend to accept "becoming a member" and "electronic message consent" offered as a condition of continuing online shopping,
• Four out of every ten consumers tend not to accept cookies on e-commerce

 

• In the examinations conducted in accordance with foreign practices and recommendations of academicians, in particular, websites that request more personal data from consumers than is necessary for the purchase process, stipulate harsher conditions for unsubscribing from the membership than entering the membership and make it difficult to unsubscribe, offer cookies and electronic message consent to the consumer's preference with the membership agreement, and share the personal data of members with third parties for advertising and marketing purposes were analyzed.
• Suspension and correction penalties and administrative fines were imposed on 12 files that violated the above-mentioned digital commerce issues which will be announced later on the Ministry's website.

The full text of the Ministry's announcement that is dated March 20, 2024 is available here.

You can access the full Research Report on Advertising and Unfair Commercial Practices in Digital Media prepared by the Ministry here.

 

Kind regards,

Zumbul Attorneys-At-Law

info@zumbul.av.tr