New regulation rules to save internet history for two years

ISTANBUL

Institutions providing free internet service will now set up a filter system that will prevent users from reaching “crime involving content” as well as enable users’ internet history to be saved up to two years, according to a recent regulation by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) published in the Official Gazette on April 11, daily Habertürk has reported.  

The BTK will set up online systems to verify users’ identities through SMS messages and will require them to enter their Turkish national ID numbers. 

According to the regulation, when a user wants to connect to the internet at an internet cafe, the system will demand the user’s ID number or mobile number via SMS. The system will then respond with another SMS with the password for the internet. Their identities will be verified, enabling internet history to be tracked. This will give the authority to archive internet history up to two years. 

The regulation is also expected to bring new regulations for internet cafes. 

A warning will be given to the internet cafes violating the procedures. If the cafe is determined to violate regulations, it can be shut up to three days and can receive a penalty. 

The new regulation has also decreased the lower limit of the penalty to 1,000 Turkish Liras from 3,000 liras. The upper limit, however, remained at 15,000 liras. 

Mehmet Ali Köksal, a lawyer specialized in informatics, said the new regulation was open to abuses, adding that people could connect to the internet from such places to carry out illegal or abusive activities.   

“The new system is wide open to abuse. Someone can ask to use a cell phone from anyone and say they forgot their phones at home. Thus, this system provides access to users’ private information from another person’s phone. The new system protects public safety but does not protect the consumer,” he said.