GDPR Compliance: Turkish Companies Serving the EU

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) binds companies around the world that process EU citizens' data. Turkish companies are also included.

Scope of GDPR

• All companies that process the data of persons resident in the EU
• E-commerce selling to the EU from Türkiye
• Services to tourists coming to Türkiye from the EU
• All sectors with customers who are EU citizens

GDPR-KVKK Comparison

• GDPR is more comprehensive
• "Data Protection Officer (DPO)" mandatory
• "Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA)"
• "Privacy by Design" principle
• Penalties up to 4% of global turnover

Practical Steps for Turkish Companies

1. Analyze customer base (Is there an EU?)
2. Create a GDPR compliance policy
3. Appoint a DPO or legal support get
4. Privacy Policy Be GDPR compliant
5. Appoint EU representative (domestic representative in EU)
6. Data breach response plan

Breach Penalties

• Low level breach: €10 million or 2% of turnover
• High level breach: €20 million or 4% of turnover
• Whichever is greater applied

Practical Example

If a Turkish e-commerce company sells to a customer in Berlin: It must comply with both KVKK and GDPR.

Supreme Court / EU Court

The EU Court of Justice, in its decisions on the "extraterritorial effect"of GDPR, stated that all world companies, including Turkish companies, are within the scope if they process EU citizen data. states.

KVKK/GDPR expert lawyer recommended.