Turkish minister blames Gülenists for massive data leak

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

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The massive recent leak of personal identity data is part of a “perception management operation” conducted by the “parallel structure,” Transport and Communications Minister Binali Yıldırım claimed on April 6, referring to the Gülen movement.

“Personal identity information, which was obtained somehow in 2010, is being presented as if it was recently obtained. As you know, this is part of the perception management operation of the parallel structure,” Yıldırım said.

Turkish officials refer to sympathizers of U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, a friend-turned-foe of the government, as the “parallel structure.”

Reports of a fresh data leak began circulating early on April 5, after the Associated Press released a report on hackers who posted a database online that included the personal information of nearly 50 million Turkish citizens. 

A website, in which a surnames-based search of leaked data is possible, was still online on April 6. The information that can be accessed on the website included data such as national ID numbers, addresses, birthdates and parents’ names.

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office also launched an investigation on April 6 into reports of the leak.