15-year age limit and e-Government verification for social media use in Turkey
With a regulation published in the Official Gazette, a 15-year age limit has been introduced for social media in Turkey. Under the system entering into force on November 1, 2026, age verification will be conducted via e-Government.
A new regulation prepared by the Presidency's Directorate of Cybersecurity introduces a 15-year age limit for social media platforms in Turkey. According to the regulation published in the Official Gazette, which will enter into force on November 1, 2026, age verification will be carried out through the e-Government Gateway without sharing identity information.
Regulation Published in the Official Gazette
The Regulation on the Provision of Child-Specific Segregated Services and Age Verification by Social Network Providers, prepared by the Presidency's Directorate of Cybersecurity, was announced to the public by being published in the Official Gazette dated October 10, 2026.
Age Limit and e-Government Verification
According to the new rules, social network providers will not be able to offer services to children under the age of 15, and age verification will be mandatory during the account creation stage.
Age verification procedures will be conducted via the e-Government Gateway, and users' identity information will not be shared directly with social media companies, utilizing only a compliance token.
Status of Existing Accounts
These new obligations do not only cover newly created accounts; all existing social media accounts are also required to undergo age verification at least once by March 31, 2027.
Special Restrictions for the 15-18 Age Group
For users who have completed the age of 15 but are under 18, a separate child-specific experience will be created, and these accounts will be kept private by default.
Users in this age group will not be allowed to broadcast live streams, screenshot prevention measures will be taken, and the use of their personal data for advertising targeting will be prohibited.