Today’s world is experiencing an era where digitalization, driven by the dizzying pace of technological advancement, has permeated every field. This transformation brings with it entirely new legal challenges and challenges. Information technology law is a dynamic branch of law that regulates the complex web of relationships created by the internet, software, hardware, and data flow, and requires constant updating. In Türkiye, developments in this field are being closely monitored, and legal regulations and judicial practices are striving to keep pace with this rapid change. As 2025 approaches, information technology law cases and cybercrime are becoming an even more pressing issue for both individuals and institutions.
With increasing digitalization, cybercrimes are becoming more diverse and complex. Data breaches, online fraud, phishing, ransomware, and digital reputation damage are causing both material and moral harm, leading to an increase in legal proceedings. This article aims to provide a detailed overview of the issues that will be prominent in IT law cases in Türkiye in 2025 and the cybercrimes that are generating significant interest.
The Dynamic Structure of Information Technology Law and Future Expectations
Information technology law is a field that requires not only adherence to existing laws but also the ability to anticipate and adapt to technological innovations. Concepts such as artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), blockchain technologies, and the metaverse are already shaping the future boundaries of information technology law. New legal disputes that will arise with the proliferation of these technologies will necessitate the interpretation of existing legal frameworks or the creation of new regulations.
Personal Data Protection and Data Breaches: The Rising Role of KVKK
In Türkiye, Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698 (KVKK) establishes the fundamental legal framework for the processing and protection of personal data. The importance of KVKK will increase further in 2025 and beyond. In particular, the proliferation of big data analysis and artificial intelligence applications will elevate the sensitivity to personal data protection to the highest level.
Data breaches are one of the most significant cybersecurity issues, threatening both individual privacy and creating serious financial and reputational consequences for companies. Administrative fines and data breach notification requirements imposed by the Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK) are intensifying legal processes in this area. It has become a legal obligation for companies to constantly review their data security measures, train their employees, and develop contingency plans for potential breaches. Compensation claims and administrative sanctions in data breach cases are expected to increase further in 2025.
Cybersecurity and Corporate Responsibility
Organizations’ cybersecurity responsibilities are not limited to legal obligations but are also critical to their business reputation and customer trust. Complex cyber threats such as ransomware attacks, advanced persistent threats (APTs), and supply chain attacks put companies’ information systems at constant risk. In this context, whether companies implement “reasonable security measures” will be a key determinant in the legal proceedings following a potential cyberattack. Solutions such as cybersecurity audits, risk analyses, and cyber insurance products will emerge as important tools in fulfilling corporate responsibilities.
Cybercrimes Creating a Trend in Türkiye and Legal Struggle
Cybercrimes are addressed across a wide spectrum under the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and related special laws. With the advancement of technology, the ways in which cybercrimes are committed are also evolving, creating new challenges for law enforcement and the judiciary.
Online Fraud and Phishing Activities
Online fraud is particularly prevalent through e-commerce platforms, social media, and banking services. Phishing attacks, on the other hand, aim to obtain personal and financial information by directing users to fake websites or sending misleading emails. Such crimes are considered under various provisions of the Turkish Penal Code, particularly fraud (Articles 157 and 158) and hacking into information systems (Article 243). By 2025, more sophisticated AI-powered phishing attacks and fraud cases perpetrated using deepfake technology are expected to increase. This will further complicate the process of gathering evidence and identifying criminals.
Cyber Attacks Targeting Companies: Ransomware and Data Theft
Ransomware is a type of cyberattack that demands a ransom by locking down companies’ information systems or encrypting their data. These attacks disrupt company operations, cause significant financial losses, and increase the risk of data breaches. Data theft, on the other hand, refers to attacks aimed at obtaining companies’ trade secrets, customer information, or intellectual property. Such attacks are punishable under articles of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), including entering an information system (Article 243), blocking, disrupting, destroying, or altering data (Article 244), and unlawful access to personal data (Article 136). By 2025, the increased frequency of such attacks by targeted and advanced threat actors will necessitate companies to increase their cybersecurity investments and legal consulting services.
Reputation Damage and Intellectual Property Violations in the Digital Environment
Social media platforms and online news sites facilitate the rapid dissemination of content intended to damage the reputations of individuals and institutions. Acts such as insult, slander, and libel committed in the digital environment are subject to legal proceedings under the relevant articles of the Turkish Penal Code (Articles 125 and 267). Furthermore, with digitalization, violations of intellectual property rights have become a significant problem. Software piracy, unauthorized sharing of digital content (books, music, movies), and the sale of brand imitations on online platforms have serious legal consequences under the Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights Law and the Turkish Penal Code. In such violations, identifying evidence and tracing traces in the digital environment are among the IT law cases requiring specialized expertise.
Digital Evidence and Its Importance in Legal Processes
In cybercrime cases and cybercrime investigations, digital evidence plays a critical role in changing the course of the case. Digital materials such as computer records, log files, emails, social media posts, IP addresses, and mobile device data are indispensable for proving a crime or illegal activity. However, collecting, preserving, analyzing, and presenting digital evidence to the court requires specialized technical knowledge and adherence to legal procedures. Digital forensic reports and expert testimony are crucial in these processes. Failure to obtain evidence lawfully can lead to its invalidation and a negative outcome in the case.
Future Measures and the Role of Legal Advice
Risks and legal disputes in the field of information technology law will continue to increase in 2025 and beyond. In this dynamic environment, it is crucial for both individuals and organizations to take proactive measures. Investing in cybersecurity infrastructure, providing regular cybersecurity training to employees, ensuring compliance with the Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK), and regularly backing up digital assets are key steps.
However, despite all these precautions, it is essential to seek advice from a specialized law firm for any legal issues that may arise. With its unique terminology, technical details, and rapidly changing legislation, IT law is a field that requires specialized expertise beyond general legal knowledge. Our expert legal professionals guide their clients on cybersecurity risks, manage legal notification processes in cases of data breaches, file legal claims for cybercrime victims, and provide support in collecting digital evidence. We also offer preventative legal consulting services on matters such as drafting e-commerce contracts, protecting intellectual property rights, and managing online reputation.
To address the challenges of the digital age, working with an expert team that possesses legal expertise and closely follows technological advancements is crucial for both minimizing existing risks and ensuring effective protection of rights in emerging disputes. In the digital world of the future, legal security and compliance will be cornerstones of success.