Organized by our School of Law in collaboration with the Personal Data Protection Authority (KVKK), Istanbul Bar Association No. 2, and the Türkiye Law Platform, the symposium took place on April 7, 2025, at the Media and Event Center's Event Hall. The event, held in honor of Personal Data Protection Day, aimed to discuss recent developments and raise awareness about the protection of personal data.
The program began with protocol speeches and continued with two sessions. The opening speeches were delivered by T.C. Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç, our President Prof. Atilla Arkan, President of Istanbul Bar Association No. 2 Av. Yasin Şamlı, and President of KVKK Prof. Faruk Bilir.
T.C. Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç addressed the rule of law and digitalization in his speech. He emphasized the historical importance of personal data protection and the rapid development of legal regulations in this area due to digitalization. Tunç highlighted that updates to the Personal Data Protection Law, which came into force in 2016, have made data security a national priority. He noted that digital justice has come to the forefront with the regulations under the 8th Judicial Reform Package. Additionally, he emphasized the goal of training future legal professionals more effectively through improvements in law school admissions. Tunç also provided information on the security of the UYAP system and recent developments in digital data transmission security.
Our President Prof. Atilla Arkan discussed the rapid changes in the international order and the need to evaluate these changes in terms of “security” and “freedom”. He pointed out that digitalization and artificial intelligence present both opportunities and threats. Prof. Arkan emphasized that our university, in line with its founding mission, is an institution that understands the present and prepares for future risks. He referenced Ibn Khaldun's theory of asabiyyah, highlighting the importance of social unity and solidarity.
President of Istanbul Bar Association No. 2 Av. Yasin Şamlı stated that personal data has become a matter of national security today and stressed the importance of updating legal regulations. He discussed human rights violations in Gaza and the devastation in Syria, emphasizing the critical role of personal data protection in the struggle for rights, particularly the right to life. Av. Şamlı also referred to the role of the International Criminal Court and the necessity of a global approach to personal data protection, highlighting the need for updating laws related to personal data.
President of KVKK Prof. Faruk Bilir emphasized that personal data protection is a constitutional right and the importance of regulating procedures and principles by law. He discussed the role of Law No. 6698 in ensuring personal data protection and national security. Prof. Bilir shared statistical data on recent amendments in provisions related to data transfer abroad and administrative offenses. He noted the increase in new studies on the security of artificial intelligence and biometric data, and the publication of guides and documents for various sectors.
In the first session of the symposium, titled “A Year of Legal Amendments: Evaluation of Personal Data Protection Practices”, presentations were made by Tuba Kendir Tunalı (Head of the Inspection Department, Personal Data Protection Authority), Ezgi Ergüneş Duran (Head of the Legal Affairs Department, Personal Data Protection Authority), and Av. Melik İslam Şeker (Istanbul Bar Association No. 2), moderated by Prof. Şükrü Yıldız, Dean of our School of Law.
The second session, titled “A New Era in Personal Data Protection: Updated Legislation and Practices”, was moderated by Prof. Mahmut Koca from Istanbul Medipol University. The speakers included Assist. Prof. Gülnihal Ahter Yakacak (Ibn Haldun University), Prof. Yeliz Bozkurt Gümrükçüoğlu (Ibn Haldun University), and Rena Battal (Advisory Board Member, IT Governance Türkiye Platform).
The symposium provided a deep discussion environment on personal data protection and legal updates, offering participants the opportunity to gain the most recent information in this field.
