The Communiqué on the Data Protection Officer in Turkey

In the Official Gazette dated 6 December 2021 No. 31681, Communiqué on the Procedures and Principles Regarding the Personal Certification Mechanism has been published by the Turkish Data Protection Authority (“DPA”). 

With the Communiqué, the data protection officer has found application in Turkey. Data Protection Officers who have the certificate issued in accordance with ISO standards are going to play an active role to protect data.

Only the institutions which accredited within the scope of the (TS) EN ISO/IEC 17024 by the Turkish Accreditation Agency (“TURKAK”), will be able to certify the people who have passed the exam.

The candidates who wish to become Data Protection Officer will need to undergo training. The person who participated in the training will be able to take the exam within 4 years from the date of the training or those who already have a data protection officer certificate. The certificate will be valid for 4 years.

In the case, the data controller and/or data processor employs a data protection officer, the responsibility under the Law on Protection of Personal Data No. 6698 will always be applicable.

You can reach further information in Turkish here.

Kind regards,

Zumbul Attorneys at Law

info@zumbul.av.tr