In today’s world, where digitalization permeates every aspect of our lives, the opportunities offered by information technologies are increasing, as are the legal risks they bring. In this era of rapid internet, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technologies, cybercrimes are also becoming more diverse and complex. As we move towards 2025, the course of IT law litigation in Türkiye is shaping up as a direct reflection of this technological transformation. Digital security and legal protection are more critical than ever for both individuals and institutions. In this article, we will examine in detail the cybercrime prosecutions expected to be prominent in IT law cases in Türkiye in 2025, examining the legal framework and potential challenges.
The Rise of Information Technology Law and the Evolution of Cybercrime
With the acceleration of technology, legal systems are in a constant process of adaptation. The migration of traditional crime types to the digital environment and the emergence of entirely new types of crimes reveal the dynamic nature of information technology law.
Legal Reflections of the Digitalizing World
Today, smartphones, cloud services, e-commerce platforms, and social media have become an integral part of our daily lives. This digitalization has transformed everything from business practices to personal interactions, while also creating new avenues for criminals. Cyberattacks such as data theft, phishing, and ransomware have moved beyond mere technical problems into crimes with serious legal consequences. This necessitates both preventative measures and effective legal action against violations.
Overview of the Legal Framework in Türkiye
Turkey has taken significant legal steps to combat cybercrime. Turkish Penal Code No. 5237 (TCK) is the primary law defining crimes committed in the field of cybercrime. Relevant articles of the TCK regulate crimes such as accessing information systems, destroying or altering data, and misusing debit or credit cards. Furthermore, Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698 (KVKK) establishes the principles for processing and protecting personal data, creating a significant protective shield against data breaches. These legal regulations form the basis of cybercrime prosecutions and are interpreted in line with constantly evolving technology.
Cybercrime Cases Expected to Be Prominent in 2025
In line with the rapid pace of technological advancements, certain areas are expected to become increasingly prominent in IT law cases in the coming year. These areas pose significant risks for both individuals and organizations.
Violations of the Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK)
The Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK) has become a turning point in personal data protection in Türkiye and has imposed significant obligations on data controllers. A significant increase in the number of lawsuits related to data breaches is expected in 2025. Large-scale data leaks, unauthorized data access, and data processing activities in violation of the KVKK, in particular, could result in both administrative fines and compensation claims. As the number and scope of investigations conducted by the Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK) expands, individuals will also become more aware of their own data, leading them to pursue more proactive legal action against such breaches.
Online Fraud and Forgery Crimes
With digitalization, fraud and forgery methods have also become more sophisticated. By 2025, phishing, fake investment promises, social engineering attacks, and e-commerce scams, particularly those involving artificial intelligence and deep learning (deepfake) technologies, will increase even further. These crimes inflict serious financial and moral harm on victims, and identifying perpetrators and tracing digital trails pose significant challenges during prosecution. Authorization and evidence gathering processes will become even more crucial, especially in these types of crimes, which have gained international significance.
Cyber Attacks and Corporate Security Breaches
The risk of cyberattacks on companies and public institutions will continue to be one of the most critical threats in 2025. Ransomware, denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and corporate espionage can bring businesses’ operations to a standstill, leading to financial losses and reputational damage. Data breaches resulting from such attacks can not only lead to liability under the Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK) but also lead to serious legal proceedings under the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), such as theft of trade secrets and unauthorized access to systems. It is crucial for companies to strengthen their cybersecurity measures and take swift and appropriate legal action in the event of a breach.
Copyright and Industrial Property Rights Violations
As digital content production and distribution increase, copyright and industrial property rights violations are also becoming more diverse. By 2025, cases involving software piracy, unauthorized content sharing on digital music and film platforms, brand imitation, and patent infringement, all committed through more sophisticated methods in the digital environment, will become more frequent. With the proliferation of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and blockchain-based digital assets in particular, legal disputes are expected to increase in areas where these new technologies intersect with intellectual property law.
Crimes in the Context of Social Media and Freedom of Expression
Social media platforms, while a crucial tool for freedom of expression, have also become a breeding ground for crimes such as insults, threats, invasions of privacy, and disinformation. The number of cases related to crimes committed on these platforms is expected to increase in 2025. Smear campaigns, attacks on personal rights, and the spread of manipulative content, particularly through fake accounts, will be a focal point of legal action.
Challenges and Digital Evidence in Cybercrime Trials
Cybercrime cases, unlike traditional criminal cases, present unique challenges. These challenges are particularly evident in the collection and evaluation of digital evidence.
Trial of Cross-Border Crimes
Due to the global nature of the internet, cybercrimes often have a cross-border nature. The presence of perpetrators in different countries and the presence of servers abroad creates serious challenges regarding jurisdiction and international legal cooperation. By 2025, requests for mutual legal assistance between countries and extradition processes will become even more important in the prosecution of such international crimes. This situation causes legal processes to become longer and more complex.
Collection and Evaluation of Digital Evidence
Digital evidence forms the foundation of cybercrime trials. However, the volatile nature of digital evidence, its easy alteration, or destruction, makes the processes of collecting, preserving, and presenting it to the court critical. Obtaining evidence through legal means, preserving its integrity (chain of custody), and proving its reliability through expert examination are among the most critical stages of the trial process. Reports from digital forensic experts play a key role in these cases.
The Need for Legal Knowledge and Technological Expertise
To be successful in IT law cases, it’s essential to possess both in-depth legal knowledge and the ability to understand and interpret technological advancements. Legal professionals’ knowledge of technical issues such as network protocols, encryption technologies, database structures, and cybersecurity mechanisms directly impacts the course of litigation. By 2025, the need for legal professionals specializing in this field will only increase, and this integration between technology and the law will determine the quality of litigation.
As information technologies become increasingly prevalent in our lives, IT law cases will become increasingly prominent on Türkiye’s judicial agenda. Towards 2025, litigation in areas such as personal data protection violations, online fraud, cyberattacks, and digital copyright infringement is expected to intensify. In this dynamic environment, protecting the rights of both individuals and institutions, managing legal processes effectively, and evaluating technological developments from a legal perspective are crucial. Being prepared for risks in the digital world and seeking expert legal support is a critical step in preventing potential future grievances.