Protection of Sensitive Personal Data

What is Personal Data?

Personal data is legally protected under the KVKK. It is prohibited to distribute, share, or use this data for purposes other than intended without the individual's consent. Private and legal entities have significant responsibilities in processing such data. There are legal sanctions under the Law on the Protection of Personal Data for data used for unintended purposes. You can find legal information on this subject on the page.

What is Sensitive Personal Data?

Any data that makes a person identifiable and distinct is considered personal data. The criteria set forth in the aforementioned Law for identifying personal data are: relating to a natural person, making the person identifiable and distinct, and any information related to the person. Since the Law on the Protection of Personal Data does not set a specific limit for personal data, information such as group memberships, family details, hobbies, people with whom one interacts... are also considered personal data. The processing of such information must be carried out within the scope of the Law.

Sensitive personal data, also called special category data, is data that, if learned by others, could cause the person to be subjected to discrimination. The KVKK has defined not only general personal data but also sensitive personal data. In the Law, a person's race, ethnic origin, political opinion, religion, sect, etc., are considered sensitive, and the aim is to protect this data within the scope of the law. The protection of sensitive personal data is considered more important than other data, and this data is evaluated as data that requires greater protection. Personal information other than special category data, specified under a separate heading in the relevant Law, is not considered special category data. Special data that could cause a person to be victimized or excluded from society is specially protected under the provisions of the relevant Law. You can access information on this subject on the page.