{"id":2257,"date":"2021-01-15T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-01-15T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.efeshukuk.com\/?p=2257"},"modified":"2026-03-30T18:28:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T15:28:41","slug":"kvkk-yaptirimlar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/efeshukuk.com\/en\/kvkk-yaptirimlar\/","title":{"rendered":"Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK) Administrative and Penal Sanctions Guide 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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GDPR Administrative and Criminal Sanctions | GDPR Lawyer | Izmir Lawyer | Izmir Law Office<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The processes of personal data processing and protection are subject to much stricter controls in 2026, along with technological advancements. Administrative and penal sanctions regulated under Law No. 6698 aim to reinforce the responsibilities of data controllers regarding informing data, ensuring data security, and complying with board decisions. As Efes Law Office, based in Izmir, we manage businesses' GDPR compliance processes with professional rigor, minimizing legal risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The administrative fines stipulated in Article 18 of the law for the offenses listed have reached their highest level for 2026, in line with the revaluation rates published annually. During this period, not only monetary fines but also imprisonment sentences under the Turkish Penal Code pose a significant risk for data controllers. Furthermore, the 2024 legal amendment designating Administrative Courts as the appeals body against administrative sanctions marks a new era in terms of the right to seek redress. In this guide, you can find all the critical details, from current fine amounts to the changing jurisdiction of the courts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"KVKK<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Administrative Fines Under Law No. 6698 and Current Rates for 2026<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ki\u015fisel verilerin korunmas\u0131 mevzuat\u0131nda kabahatler, kanunun 18. maddesi ile d\u00fczenlenmi\u015ftir.\u00a0Kanunun y\u00fcr\u00fcrl\u00fc\u011fe girdi\u011fi tarihten itibaren her y\u0131l yay\u0131nlanan yeniden de\u011ferleme oranlar\u0131, idari para cezas\u0131 bedellerinde d\u00fczenli art\u0131\u015flara neden olmu\u015ftur.\u00a02026 y\u0131l\u0131 i\u00e7in belirlenen %25,49 oran\u0131ndaki art\u0131\u015fla birlikte, veri sorumlular\u0131n\u0131n kar\u015f\u0131 kar\u015f\u0131ya oldu\u011fu mali riskler \u015fu ana kadarki en y\u00fcksek seviyesine ula\u015fm\u0131\u015ft\u0131r.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The table below shows the current administrative fine limits that will be applied as of 2026:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Type of Offense (Article 18)<\/td>Lower Limit (2026)<\/td>Upper Limit (2026)<\/td><\/tr><\/thead>
Violation of the Obligation to Inform <\/td>86,437 TL<\/td>1,709,200 TL<\/td><\/tr>
Violation of Data Security Obligations <\/td>256,357 TL<\/td>17,092,242 TL<\/td><\/tr>
Violation of Decisions Made by the Board <\/td>427,263 TL<\/td>17,092,242 TL<\/td><\/tr>
Violation of VERB\u0130S Registration and Notification Obligation <\/td>341,809 TL<\/td>17,092,242 TL<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For companies operating in the Izmir region, it is vital that they bring their data processing processes into compliance with 2026 standards to avoid facing these severe penalties in areas with high commercial activity. If these offenses, specified in Article 18 of the law, are committed within public institutions, disciplinary measures are applied to the relevant officials upon notification from the Board, and the outcome is reported to the Board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Personal Data Crimes and Imprisonment Penalties Under the Turkish Penal Code<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Data protection law encompasses not only financial penalties but also imprisonment. In cases of data breaches, investigations conducted under the Turkish Penal Code can have irreversible consequences for data controllers and data processors. Businesses must fully implement technical and administrative measures to manage these risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlawful Recording and Acquisition of Data<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Those who unlawfully record personal data are subject to imprisonment for one to three years. This penalty is increased by half if the recorded data relates to individuals' political, philosophical, or religious views, racial origins, moral inclinations, sexual lives, health status, or trade union affiliations (special categories of data).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those who unlawfully disclose, disseminate, or obtain data belonging to another person shall be sentenced to imprisonment for two to four years. If the subject matter of the crime is a statement or image recorded in accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure, the penalty shall be increased by one-fold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Crime of Failure to Destroy Data and Aggravating Circumstances<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Failure by those obligated to delete data from the system, even after legal deadlines have expired, to do so may result in imprisonment for one to two years. If the data in question is content that needs to be destroyed in relation to legal proceedings, the penalty will be increased by one-third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The aggravating circumstances of the crime are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n