Media and Internet Lawyer

As a media and internet lawyer in Mersin, I support individuals and businesses with the removal of unlawful content on social media, news websites, complaint platforms and search engines, with access blocking, with the right of reply and correction in cases of violation of personality rights through the press, and with compensation claims. Because content spread on the internet can multiply within a short time, speed and choosing the correct route of application are decisive in these disputes.

For cybercrimes such as account takeover, fraud and unauthorised access, you can refer to the IT lawyer in Mersin page; this page focuses on disputes arising from published content.

What Does a Media and Internet Lawyer Help With?

• Violations of personality rights (kişilik hakları) caused by social media posts, comments and videos
• Applications for the removal of online content and access blocking (erişim engelleme)
• The spread of photographs, videos and personal information that violate the privacy of private life
• The right of reply and correction (cevap ve düzeltme hakkı) concerning news published on news websites and in the press
• Removal of old and outdated content from search engine results (the right to be forgotten, unutulma hakkı)
• Fake accounts, profiles opened in your name and impersonation
• Untrue content about businesses published on complaint websites and in map reviews
• Unauthorised use of photographs, videos and texts; content removal in cases of copyright infringement
• Advertising and collaboration agreements between social media influencers and brands

How Is Content on the Internet Removed?

The routes available for content that violates personality rights are as follows:

1. Application to the content provider or hosting provider: An application requesting removal can be made to the person, website or platform that published the content. Large social network providers are obliged to respond to applications made from Türkiye within the short time limits set by law.
2. Application to the criminal judgeship of peace: Under Article 9 of Law No. 5651 on the Regulation of Internet Publications (5651 sayılı Kanun), a person whose personality rights have been violated can apply directly to the criminal judgeship of peace (sulh ceza hâkimliği) for the content to be removed or access to it blocked. As a rule, the judge decides on such requests within twenty-four hours.
3. Privacy of private life: For content that violates the privacy of private life, an application can also be made under Article 9/A to the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (Bilgi Teknolojileri ve İletişim Kurumu); this application is submitted for a judge’s approval.

The link addresses (URLs) of the content must be stated correctly and completely in the decision; a general request to “close the account” is often not accepted. Recording the content together with its date and link address before applying will also be useful as evidence in any criminal or compensation proceedings brought later.

Violation of Personality Rights Through the Press and the Right of Reply and Correction

If news that damages a person’s honour and dignity, or that is untrue, is published on news websites, in newspapers or in other periodicals, the right of reply and correction can be exercised under the Press Law (Basın Kanunu). The reply and correction text must be sent to the responsible editor (sorumlu müdür) within two months of the publication date. If it is not published, an application can be made to the criminal judgeship of peace.

For offences committed through the press, the time limit for bringing a public prosecution is restricted to short periods: four months for daily publications and six months for other publications. A claim for pecuniary and non-pecuniary damages (maddi ve manevi tazminat) can also be brought for violation of personality rights; the court assesses whether the news stays within the limits of press freedom in terms of truthfulness, topicality, public interest and the manner of presentation.

The Right to Be Forgotten: Removal from Search Engine Results

When news or personal information that is long past, and has lost its topicality and public interest, continues to be shown in search engine results, this can adversely affect a person’s private life and professional reputation. In this case, a removal request can be made to the search engine; if this does not succeed, access blocking can be requested from the criminal judgeship of peace. The right to be forgotten, recognised by court decisions, is assessed according to the balance between the nature of the news and the public’s right to receive information.

Reputation and Content Management for Businesses

Content about businesses published on complaint websites, in reviews on map applications or on social media is not always unlawful; criticism that is based on facts and expressed in a measured way is protected by freedom of expression. However, for untrue allegations, fake reviews from competitors and disparaging content that damages commercial reputation, notification to the platform, access blocking, unfair competition (haksız rekabet) and compensation routes can be considered. Correctly distinguishing which content is criticism and which is an unlawful attack determines the outcome of the application.

Social Media Influencers and Advertising Collaborations

In promotions made on social media, it is mandatory to state clearly that the content is an advertisement, under the commercial advertising legislation and the Ministry of Trade’s rules on social media influencers. Collaboration agreements between influencers and brands should clearly regulate content approval, publication period, payment terms, intellectual property rights and the allocation of liability in the event of a breach of advertising legislation.

How Does the Process Work in Mersin?

Access blocking and content removal requests are made to the criminal judgeships of peace; people living in Mersin can file their applications with the criminal judgeships of peace in Mersin. For posts that constitute an offence, such as insult or threats, a criminal complaint can be filed with the Mersin Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office (Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı); for insult, the time limit for filing a complaint is six months from learning of the act and the perpetrator. Compensation claims can, as a rule, also be brought before the court of the claimant’s place of residence. For content published in another province or abroad, the process can also be conducted from Mersin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get an Assessment of Content on the Internet

To assess which route of application would be the fastest and most effective for content published about you, you can reach me through the contact page.