Legal Responsibility and Regulatory Debates on Social Media
Experts evaluated the lack of oversight on social media, anonymous accounts, disinformation, and the role of algorithms. It was emphasized that accounts with a wide reach should be subject to special legal liability and platforms should be placed under legal supervision.
Unlike traditional media, social media, where control mechanisms remain insufficient, has become a center for organized crime and character assassinations. Digital disinformation, anonymous accounts creating false public opinion, and manipulative algorithms threaten social peace.
Lack of Oversight and Legal Vacuum
Unlike traditional media, social media, where control mechanisms remain insufficient, has turned into a hub for organized crime and character assassinations. While digital disinformation, anonymous accounts creating false public opinion, and manipulative algorithms threaten social peace, they once again bring the legal responsibilities of platforms into question.
Inadequacy of Current Legislation
Drawing attention to the uncontrolled development in the digital world, Lawyer Murat Emergen stated that the digital ecosystem evolves very rapidly, but legal regulations always lag behind. Emphasizing that the lack of oversight by platforms creates room for criminals, Academician Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Kırık noted that individuals who insult, blackmail, and slander escape punishment.
Anonymous Accounts and Identification
The spread of the same claim through dozens of fake accounts opened by a single user whose name, photo, and real identity are unknown—making it look as if different people are expressing it—brings planned smear campaigns along with it. Reminding that identification is technically possible, Lawyer Murat Emergen emphasized that this situation can be handled with a simple legal and technical move.
Responsibility of High-Follower Accounts
Faced with the reality that accounts with high follower counts, reaching much broader audiences than a newspaper or television channel, affect millions with a single post, it is emphasized that as the sphere of influence increases, responsibility must increase as well. Lawyer Murat Emergen stated that personal rights cannot be protected in society through a lynching culture, and that accounts with a wide sphere of influence on social media should have special legal obligations.
Manipulation Power of Algorithms
The most fundamental element amplifying the lies circulated on social media is the operation of algorithms. Content containing anger, fights, accusations, and sensationalism receives high engagement and is thus pushed to the forefront by algorithms; consequently, generated lies are served to millions directly through the platform's mechanisms.
National Security and Search for Solutions
Arguing that platforms that increase the visibility of crimes in exchange for money should be penalized, Lawyer Murat Emergen noted that in cases where money is accepted despite a crime-containing post and visibility is increased by altering the algorithm, liability should arise within the scope of complicity. Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Kırık, on the other hand, stated that the algorithm has now become a national security issue.