Turkey Launches New Service to Protect Foreigners from Unauthorized Phone Line Registrations

Turkey's Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) has launched a new e-Government (e-Devlet) service that allows foreign nationals to approve additional electronic requests related to telecom services.

The new service is designed to better protect foreigners' personal data and prevent their identities from being used to open or transfer mobile and internet lines without their knowledge.

Under the new system, some foreign nationals who want to purchase a new mobile line or transfer an existing line to another telecom provider will be required to log into their e-Devlet account and access the service called "Yöneticilik EK Başvurusu Onay İşlemleri." They must then click the "Onay" (Approve) button before the telecom company can complete the transaction.

This means that presenting a copy of a Temporary Protection ID (Kimlik), residence permit, or passport alone will no longer be sufficient in cases that require electronic approval. A phone line cannot be opened or transferred unless the identity holder personally approves the request through their own e-Devlet account.

The new measure is part of Turkey's efforts to strengthen the protection of personal data and prevent identity fraud involving the unauthorized registration or transfer of telecom services. Going forward, no one will be able to complete these transactions without the identity holder's approval through their personal e-Devlet account.