Page 100 - TURKRptOct19

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Facebook Inc has been fined Turkish lira (TRY) 1.6mn ($282,000) for a violation of Turkish data protection laws that impacted nearly 300,000 people, Turkey’s Personal Data Protection Board (KVKK) said on October 3.
The KVKK previously fined Facebook TRY1.65mn in relation to another claimed privacy breach.
US online streaming service Netflix has applied for a licence to continue operating in Turkey under new online broadcasting rules that have raised fears over tight censorship.
Turkey on August 1 gave its radio and television watchdog RTUK sweeping oversight over all online content, including streaming platforms like Netflix and online news outlets.
The move, designed to protect Turkey’s “moral values” according to its proponents, was initially approved by parliament in March last year. It was backed by the ruling coalition made up of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its ultra-nationalist ally, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).
According to the regulation, all online content providers are now mandated to obtain a broadcasting licence at a cost of Turkish lira (TRY) 100,000 ($18,000) from RTUK. The body will then supervise the content they put out.
Ebubekir Sahin, president of RTUK, announced Netflix's application on September 3. He said on Twitter that over 600 institutions, including local streaming platforms Puhu TV and Blu TV, had also applied for licences.
The announcement came shortly after speculation on social media outlets that Netflix had not applied for the licence as it was preparing to leave the Turkish
100 TURKEY Country Report October 2019 www.intellinews.com