In recent years, Turkish citizens have faced a dramatic erosion of data security and privacy expectations. This transformation has occurred against a backdrop of economic downturns, inflation, and a series of high-profile data breaches.
Economic Background
Economic Crisis Since 2018
Since 2018, Turkey’s economy has spiraled downward, severely affecting its currency and the daily lives of its citizens. The Turkish lira has dramatically devalued, exacerbating the situation as inflation skyrockets and the cost of living becomes almost unbearable. For context, TRY 100, which was worth about USD 17 before the crisis, used to cover several days’ worth of household expenses. Nowadays, the same amount can barely buy a Big Mac at McDonald’s, a stark indication of how much prices have risen. This economic malaise is not just a number-crunching concern for economists but a harsh reality affecting millions of Turkish households daily.
Economic hardships further manifest in the cost of everyday items. A traditional ‘balık ekmek’ (fish sandwich), previously affordable, now costs between TRY 120 to 150, which is approximately USD 3.50 to USD 4.50. Even commuting within the city using public transportation has become expensive, costing around TRY 105. These rising expenses paint a bleak picture of the economic strain that has burdened the average Turkish citizen. The crisis not only reflects a failing economy but also sets the stage for a more profound discussion on how this economic pressure has trickled down to affect data security and privacy, intertwining two crucial aspects of modern living.
Inflation’s Impact on Daily Life
Everyday living expenses in Turkey have surged dramatically, placing immense pressure on the general population. Basic commodities that were once affordable are now considered luxuries, further aggravating the severity of the economic situation. For instance, the cost of a simple fish sandwich has skyrocketed, and transportation costs have equally climbed, making a significant dent in everyday budgets. Such economic stresses have not only strained household wallets but also contributed to a growing sense of instability and insecurity among Turkish citizens. The reality of rising living costs is a constant reminder of Turkey’s economic woes and has indirectly influenced how citizens view their own data security and privacy. As the cost of living increases, the ability to afford essential services naturally declines, leading people to prioritize immediate needs over other concerns, including data protection. Amidst this financial turmoil, the cheap availability of personal data comes as an alarming yet unsurprising development. The ease with which sensitive personal information can be purchased online becomes more shocking and worrisome against this backdrop of widespread economic distress and high inflation.
The Cheap Availability of Personal Data
Ease of Acquiring Sensitive Information
Amid the economic turmoil faced by Turkish citizens, the ease of acquiring sensitive personal data online has become a glaring issue. For a mere TRY 100, individuals have the disturbing ability to purchase a wealth of identification-related information about any Turkish citizen. This includes insurance numbers, addresses, phone numbers, employment details, healthcare records, and even property deeds. Such affordability and accessibility of sensitive personal information underscore the severe data security crisis plaguing Turkey. The severity of this situation is further highlighted by the numerous data breaches that the country has faced. Notably, a significant breach in June 2023 compromised the personal data of 85 million citizens whose information was stored in the government’s e-devlet system. This ongoing saga of data leaks has fostered a widespread feeling of helplessness and fatalism among Turkish citizens when it comes to their data privacy. The frequent occurrences of data leaks have severely diminished the expectation of privacy, creating a society that has become resigned to the constant threat of personal information being compromised.
Frequent Data Breaches
The landscape of data security in Turkey is marred by frequent and large-scale data breaches, each undermining public trust further. The June 2023 breach, involving the e-devlet system, is just one in a long series of incidents that have laid bare the vulnerabilities in Turkey’s data protection mechanisms. Breaches have become almost routine, and the colossal leakage of personal data has led to a fatalistic attitude towards information security among the population. Each data breach chips away at the public’s trust in both private companies and governmental entities responsible for safeguarding their data. As these data breaches continue unabated, Turkish citizens have increasingly become indifferent to the idea of data privacy. Social media platforms often become arenas where people mock the significance of such breaches, indicating how normalized these events have become in the public psyche. This normalization not only erodes the expectation of privacy but also contributes to a broader societal sense of resignation towards data security. The implications of such an atmosphere are profound because the constant leaks and lack of effective countermeasures from authorities leave the populace vulnerable and disillusioned about their data security.
Government and Private Sector Responses
Government Denials and Private Sector Blame
The Turkish government’s response to data breaches has often involved shifting blame onto the private sector, denying any governmental shortcomings. For instance, after repeated data breaches involving Yemeksepeti, a popular food delivery app, authorities have pointed fingers toward private sector practices. However, critics argue that the government’s measures to combat these breaches have been largely inadequate, failing to instill effective data protection protocols and oversight mechanisms. This habitual deflection of responsibility has fueled suspicions and accusations of the state’s complicity or negligence in safeguarding personal data. Ali Taha Koç, the ex-president of the Office of Digital Transformations (DDO), epitomizes the government stance, attributing these data breaches to private sector failings instead of governmental responsibility. Despite such public statements, the relentless frequency of data leaks has eroded any expectation of online privacy among Turkish citizens. This erosion is often reflected in social media reactions where people mock the significance of data leaks, showing how normalized these breaches have become. This normalization runs parallel to a growing distrust in governmental abilities to protect citizen data, leading to a public disillusionment that further complicates the situation.
Official Statements and Public Reaction
Official responses to Turkey’s persistent data breaches often lack the substance needed to restore public trust and instill confidence in data security measures. Even as government officials like Ali Taha Koç attribute the issue to private sector failures, the constant recurrence of data leaks makes such statements appear deflective and inadequate. Consequently, the public’s reaction to each new breach has shifted from shock and outrage to a weary acceptance, further exacerbating the normalization of these breaches within Turkish society. This widespread disillusionment is evident in the flippant and often sarcastic reactions on social media. Citizens are no longer surprised by reports of data leaks and have adopted a fatalistic attitude toward their personal information’s security. This collective resignation significantly undermines the practical enforcement of privacy rights, essentially rendering them ineffective despite their legal foundations, such as Law #6698. The normalization of data breaches reflects deeper issues within the country’s data governance framework, questioning the very efficacy of existing policies meant to protect citizen data.
Erosion of the Right to Privacy
Normalization of Breaches
Personal data breaches have become so ubiquitous in Turkey that citizens now consider them unremarkable, a troubling reflection of the erosion of the right to privacy itself. Despite having legal protections under Law #6698, practical enforcement is virtually non-existent, leaving a gap between legislative intent and real-world application. This widespread indifference towards data breaches underscores a more profound problem: when citizens stop expecting their privacy to be maintained, the rights surrounding data protection lose their practical significance. This normalization of breaches is more than just a societal trend; it signifies a troubling erosion in public trust and expectation. When data leaks are met with resigned acceptance rather than outrage, it’s a clear indication that the foundational right to privacy is under threat. The societal normalization of such events has made data security concerns almost a part of everyday life, causing citizens to adapt to an environment where privacy is no longer an expected right but a fragile hope. This drastic shift in public attitude has profound implications, signaling a broader acceptance of insecurity that compromises the very fabric of personal freedom and autonomy.
Governmental Power Over Personal Data
Governmental power over personal data in Turkey has further complicated the issue of data privacy. An illustrative instance of this is the reveal of the KİM application by former Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu. This app could pull up detailed personal information simply by photographing an individual, demonstrating the vast amount of data the government collects and retains. The public outrage and opposition political reaction to this reveal showcased significant concerns about potential misuse of such extensive data-gathering capabilities. Despite the controversy, the new Minister of Interior, Ali Yerlikaya, distanced the ministry from the KİM app, attributing its access to Soylu’s personal use rather than institutional policy. This evasion of institutional accountability has left many questions unanswered regarding the oversight and ethical use of such powerful data-collection tools. Soylu’s demonstration and the subsequent political and public backlash highlight the unease with which Turkish citizens view governmental data hoarding, yet the normalized indifference towards data breaches has somewhat muted the broader implications of such practices. These dynamics point to a nuanced and deeply troubling relationship between the state and its citizens regarding data privacy and security.
Lack of Fundamental Questioning
Unquestioned Data Hoarding by the State
One of the most significant yet under-discussed aspects of Turkey’s data privacy crisis is the pervasive lack of scrutiny towards governmental data-gathering practices. Public sentiment has grown so accustomed to data breaches and leaks that there is nearly no fundamental questioning of why the state amasses such extensive personal data in the first place. This attitude has rendered the Ministry of Interior’s data hoarding practices as natural and uncontested, creating an environment where data collection is seen as routine rather than invasive. This lack of fundamental scrutiny can be traced to the deeply ingrained fatalism within Turkish society concerning data privacy. When data breaches become normalized, so does the practice of extensive data collection by the government. The absence of any significant public or political pressure to limit or better regulate data collection practices means that issues of data security and privacy are often sidelined or ignored entirely. This situation benefits governmental authorities who face limited challenges to their data governance policies, allowing the cycle of inadequate data protection and frequent breaches to persist unchecked.
Public Adaptation to Data Insecurity
In the past few years, Turkish citizens have experienced a significant decline in data security and privacy standards. This deterioration in digital safety is intertwined with broader economic challenges the country is facing, such as sluggish economic growth, high inflation rates, and various economic downturns. Additionally, a spate of high-profile data breaches has exacerbated public concerns. The frequent occurrence of these security lapses has highlighted vulnerabilities in the systems meant to protect personal information. The combination of these breaches and economic issues has left many Turks feeling increasingly insecure about their digital footprints. Privacy, once taken for granted, has now become a growing concern for the general population. People are becoming more aware of how their personal data can be exposed and misused, leading to a shift in the collective mindset regarding online activities and transactions. Moreover, the Turkish government’s actions and policies aimed at controlling information flow and monitoring communications have further strained public trust. The balancing act between national security and individual privacy has proven to be a contentious issue. Cybersecurity experts argue that without stronger data protection regulations and more robust security measures, the situation is unlikely to improve significantly. In summary, the erosion of data security and privacy in Turkey is not just a technological issue but is deeply embedded in the country’s current socio-economic landscape. It calls for urgent reforms and a renewed focus on safeguarding personal information to restore confidence among citizens.
