In Turkey, the availability of phone data for consumer marketing is primarily governed by the Law on the Protection of Personal Data No. 6698 (LPPD/KVKK), which is stringent and largely aligns with the principles of the EU's GDPR. This means that direct acquisition or "purchase" of large, unsolicited contact lists of Turkish consumers' phone numbers for marketing purposes is generally not legal and carries significant risks of penalties.
Here's a breakdown of the situation regarding phone data of Turkish consumers:
1. The Legal Landscape: Strict Consent Requirements
Explicit Consent is Mandatory: The LPPD (KVKK) requires explicit, informed, and freely given consent from turkey phone number list individuals before their personal data, including phone numbers, can be processed for marketing communications (e.g., SMS, phone calls). This "opt-in" principle is paramount. You cannot assume consent, and pre-ticked boxes are not valid.
Electronic Commerce Law (ETK): In addition to the LPPD, the Electronic Commerce Law (Law No. 6563) specifically regulates commercial electronic messages. It reiterates the need for prior consent for sending commercial SMS messages and outlines rules for sender identification, opt-out mechanisms, and content.
Data Controller Obligations: Businesses (data controllers) must inform individuals about:
Their identity.
The purpose of data processing (e.g., sending marketing SMS).
How the data will be used.
The recipients of the data.
The legal basis for processing (which in most marketing cases is explicit consent).
The data subject's rights (e.g., right to access, rectify, erase their data, object to processing).
Penalties: Non-compliance with the LPPD and ETK can result in substantial administrative fines, and in severe cases, criminal charges. The Turkish Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK) actively enforces these regulations.
2. What "Available" Data Means in a Compliant Context:
Given the legal framework, "available" phone data for marketing essentially means data you have legitimately collected with the explicit consent of the Turkish consumers themselves. This can be achieved through:
Direct Lead Generation:
Website forms: Users fill out forms on your website to sign up for newsletters, receive discounts, request information, or participate in loyalty programs, and explicitly opt-in to receive communications via phone.
In-store sign-ups: Customers provide their phone numbers in brick-and-mortar stores and consent to receive marketing messages.
Contests and giveaways: Participants provide their phone numbers and explicitly agree to receive marketing communications as part of the terms and conditions.
CRM integration: If you already have existing customers, you can seek their explicit consent for phone-based marketing during their customer journey, ensuring they understand what they are opting into.