Turkey to block social media accounts for users under 15 from Nov. 1

Turkey will require social media platforms to stop users under 15 from opening accounts starting Nov. 1, under rules published on Oct. 10. Platforms must verify age through a government-issued certificate delivered via the country’s e-Devlet system, and violations can trigger penalties of up to 3% of a company’s previous year global revenue. The rules also apply to existing accounts, which must complete verification by March 31, 2027. If an existing account is found to belong to a user under 15, the platform must close it after notice and delete the data if there is no appeal. Users aged 15 to 17 may still hold accounts, but only through a restricted version of the service. The regulation bars public-by-default settings, live streaming, recommendation features, personalized advertising and interface designs that continuously present visual content through swiping, clicking or automated playback. Turkey’s framework also differs from models discussed elsewhere because the state, not the platform, issues the age certificate. The move comes after a school shooting in Kahramanmaraş and as rights groups continue to criticize Ankara over broader speech restrictions online.