Turkey mandates two-hour compliance for streaming and social media platforms

The centralization of cyber powers under Turkey's executive branch transforms operational compliance from a technical negotiation into a high-stakes political directive. For streaming providers, the two-hour window for implementing restrictions necessitates automated, real-time response systems to avoid heavy fines or immediate bandwidth throttling. This move connects to a broader regional trend of 'digital sovereignty' where states demand localized control over encryption and user identities. Operators should watch for the first enforcement action under the new directorate, as it will signal whether the 120-minute mandate applies to broad content categories or specific high-profile accounts during political events.

The enactment of Law No. 7590 on July 31, 2026, completes a multi-year effort to migrate internet governance from the independent Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) to the Presidency of Cybersecurity. Per Turkish Minute (July 2026), this new agency now manages the technical infrastructure for lawful interception and oversees internet domain name policies. The shift follows a pattern of increasing digital restrictions; according to a report from the Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) in June 2026, Turkish authorities had blocked over 1.5 million websites and domain names by the end of 2025, a significant surge from previous years.

Simultaneously, Turkey is advancing strict age-assurance mandates. Per MediaPost (April 2026), the government passed legislation prohibiting children under 15 from accessing major social media and gaming platforms without identity verification. This system uses the e-Devlet portal to generate unique keys for users, a move that critics argue effectively ends online anonymity. Platforms with more than 1 million users are already required to maintain local representatives in Turkey, and the new cybersecurity law adds a 2% revenue contribution requirement for certain media providers to support the local film industry, according to reporting from TechPolicy Press in August 2026.