Turkiye: Adopted Bill on Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, Some Laws and the Decree Law No. 659 including data protection regulation

On 2 March 2024, the Bill on Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure, Some Laws and Decree-Law No. 659, including data protection regulation, was adopted by the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. The Bill includes measures amending Article 6 of the Personal Data Protection Law (Law 6698). In particular, the Bill would prohibit the processing of special categories of personal data unless the data subject gives explicit consent, it is explicitly provided for by the laws or necessary for protecting life, or it was made public by the data subject and is compatible with the intention of disclosure. Further, data controllers could process special categories of data if it is necessary to establish, exercise, or protect a right or fulfil obligations in areas like employment, health and safety, social security, and assistance. The measures enter into force on 6 June 2024.