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Social media users in Türkiye could soon face mandatory identity verification and strict age limits under a draft law expected to reach parliament in the coming days.
The proposal would require platforms to confirm users’ identities, restrict access for minors, and introduce faster removal of illegal content.
Officials say the measures aim to address misinformation, online targeting, and harmful digital content.
Experts, however, stress that identity verification systems must include safeguards for personal data and privacy, while several details of implementation remain unclear.
The regulation forms part of a broader policy initiative known as the “Family Package,” which introduces new rules for social network providers operating in Türkiye. It remains unclear how existing anonymous accounts would be treated if the law takes effect.
The draft law would require social media companies operating in Türkiye to implement identity confirmation and age verification mechanisms for users.
According to reports, the proposal includes several key measures:
The proposal also targets fake accounts and online posts that harm reputations or target individuals.
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said users should not remain anonymous when posting online.
“If a person comments or publishes something on social media, their identity will definitely be known,” he said in a television interview, arguing that anonymous accounts contribute to misinformation and attempts to influence judicial processes.
He said users would face legal responsibility for harmful content once their identity is verified.
Additional proposals would require social media accounts to be linked to mobile phone numbers.
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) lawmaker Halil Ozturk previously proposed legislation requiring platforms to match accounts with phone numbers.
Platforms that fail to comply could face gradual bandwidth restrictions, and continued noncompliance could lead to a complete halt of internet traffic in Türkiye.
The proposal would also prevent social media companies from hosting accounts that are not linked to verified phone numbers.
Authorities have not yet clarified how these rules would apply to existing anonymous accounts.
Digital forensics expert Prof. Dr. Ali Murat Kirik proposed an identity verification model integrated with Türkiye’s e-Devlet system.
He said users could confirm their identity through an official digital platform and receive an encrypted verification key for their social media accounts.
According to Kirik, platforms would not store or view personal identity data but would confirm that an account belongs to a real person.
“Users verify their identity through an official system such as e-Devlet and use an encrypted key for their accounts,” he said, adding that artificial intelligence could help detect fake accounts.
Kirik said such a system could strengthen efforts against fake profiles while reducing risks of data leaks. He also warned that identity verification measures must be carefully designed to avoid security and privacy risks, stressing that a sustainable system requires balancing fraud prevention with personal data protection.
Kirik noted that several countries have adopted different approaches to online identity regulation.
He said South Korea previously introduced real-name internet policies but later removed them for constitutional reasons. China requires real identity registration on social media platforms and applies strict state oversight.
Germany follows a different model by requiring platforms to remove illegal content quickly and share user data with judicial authorities when necessary, rather than imposing direct real-name requirements.
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