Data protection reporting deadlines in Turkey expire

In Turkey, intensive work is underway to implement the Turkish Data Protection Act, as companies above a certain size and revenue threshold must register their data processing activities in the online registration system (VERBIS) by the end of September.

1. The Turkish Data Protection Authority classifies companies into four mandatory categories for registration in VERBIS:

• Responsible persons with more than 50 employees or an annual balance sheet total of more than TL 25 million.
• Responsible persons Headquartered abroad. Registration start date: October 1, 2018. Due date: September 30, 2019
• Responsible persons with fewer than 50 employees and an annual balance sheet total of less than TL 25 million, but whose main area of activity is the Processing sensitive (special categories of personal data) data. Start of registration: January 1, 2019 Due date: March 31, 2020
• Responsible persons, which are public institutions and organizations. Registration begins: April 1, 2019 Due date: June 30, 2020

Who is exempt?

• Responsible personsthat process personal data as part of a filing system, but not automatically.
• Associations, foundations, and labor unions, to the extent that they personal data process the personal data of its employees, members, participants, and donors in accordance with applicable laws and within the scope of its operations.
• Attorneys, notaries, certified public accountants, and certified financial advisors.
• political parties.
• Legal entities or natural persons that have fewer than 50 employees and an annual balance sheet total of less than TRY 25 million and are not involved with the Processing sensitive data as their core business activity.
• Mediators.
• Customs brokers authorized under Customs Act No. 4458.

If those responsible fail to complete the registration by the deadline, they face fines ranging from 20,000 TL (approx. 3,250 EUR) to 1 million TL (approx. 162,000 EUR).

If you need help with registration, we'd be happy to assist you!

from D. Onur

Further information: kvkk.gov.tr/Icerik/5490/VERBIS-e-Kayitlar-Devam-Ediyor-