Precedent lawsuit against social media giant: Lawsuit can be directed at representative company

In a column written by legal expert and author Cüneyd Altıparmak, legal developments were shared regarding a compensation lawsuit filed by a business owner whose sales halted due to Instagram being blocked between August 2 and August 10, 2024. The 25th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Justice evaluated that a lawsuit can be filed against Meta's representative company in Turkey.

The decision rendered by the 25th Civil Chamber of the Ankara Regional Court of Justice on September 30, 2026, sets a precedent for lawsuits to be filed against the Turkey representations of social media companies. The lawsuit covers the compensation claim filed against Meta Platforms by a business owner who contributed to the household budget by selling homemade cakes and similar products via Instagram due to the loss of income experienced during the access block process.

Legal expert and author Cüneyd Altıparmak stated that the court has not yet ruled for Meta Istanbul to pay compensation, and that the existence of damage and liability conditions will be examined separately. He stated that while the decision does not establish a general rule, it clearly shows that a lawsuit can be directed at the representative company and makes the legal interlocutor in Turkey visible.