Effective KVKK compliance connects legal documents with real business processes. This guide introduces the principal roles, processing conditions, data subject rights and governance requirements.
Personal data forms the foundation of what is commonly called big data. Data can be highly valuable, particularly for commercial purposes, and personal data has become a commercial asset for many natural and legal persons that process it. Using personal data for commercial purposes without permission is therefore a serious concern. Protecting personal data has become unavoidable in the digital age. In Türkiye, protection is governed principally by the Turkish Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698 (KVKK), alongside specific provisions in other legislation. The KVKK is a special law that protects personal data relating to natural persons and regulates the conditions under which it may be processed. What is the KVKK, what does KVKK advisory work involve, which sectors does it cover and what services are available? The principal answers appear below.
What Is the KVKK?
KVKK is the Turkish abbreviation for the Personal Data Protection Law. Adopted and brought into force in 2016, the law establishes the principles, purposes and legal bases for processing personal data, imposes obligations and provides sanctions for non-compliance.
What Is Personal Data Protection?
Personal data protection is the system for protecting personal data relating to natural persons. At its core, it subjects the collection, processing, storage and transfer of personal data by natural and legal persons to defined rules. The framework seeks to protect constitutional rights. It covers processing under the conditions in the KVKK and other specific legislation and includes sanctions for using data outside its lawful purpose.
What Does KVKK Advisory Work Include?
KVKK advisory services provide legal and practical solutions for personal data protection compliance. They may cover communications, transparency, legal compliance, administrative measures and technical implementation. Typical work includes:
- Preparing sector-specific policies, procedures, inventories and data subject documents and supporting the required administrative and technical measures,
- Updating the controller's compliance policies and procedures in line with legislative amendments, Board decisions and judicial decisions,
- Preparing privacy notices for data subjects,
- Preparing a data controller application form for data subjects,
- Aligning employment, supplier and confidentiality agreements with the KVKK,
- Informing relevant company personnel about KVKK procedures and raising awareness,
- Preparing for VERBIS registration,
- Analysing data and recording it in an inventory,
- Managing legal applications and follow-up work,
- Monitoring KVKK processes and providing training.
Advisory work may also include technical support covering web applications, server operations, email, databases and communications infrastructure.
Who Should Obtain KVKK Advisory Services?
The KVKK places significant responsibilities on natural and legal persons that process personal data, particularly in digital environments. Advisory services are therefore relevant to data-processing organisations and individuals. Sectors and activities within the scope may include:
- Social network providers,
- Companies operating in trade, services and manufacturing,
- Civil society organisations,
- E-commerce websites and platforms,
- Private healthcare and educational institutions,
- Companies sharing information online,
- Institutions and organisations that collect and process personal data,
- Server and hosting service providers.
In summary, natural and legal persons processing personal data should consider obtaining KVKK support. Effective advice is strategically important for reducing sanction risk and ensuring that data is used in accordance with KVKK principles.
What KVKK Services Does Akkır Legal Provide?
Akkır Legal provides personal data protection services through lawyers experienced in KVK legislation. We focus on ensuring that personal data is processed in compliance with the applicable framework. Our services include:
- Working with clients to identify the purposes for collecting and processing personal data,
- Analysing in detail the obligations applicable to each client's field of activity,
- Preparing internal processes and KVK policies,
- Creating an internal KVK guide,
- Supporting effective implementation of the compliance process and ongoing practice,
- Providing training and other initiatives to raise KVKK awareness.
This content is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice.