Turkey’s Data Protection Board (“Board”) has announced exemptions for certain data controllers, meaning they will not be required to register with the Data Controllers Registry (“Registry”). The exemption applies to associations, foundations, notaries, lawyers, public accountants, unions, political parties, as well as data controllers which process personal data through non-automatic means.

The Board’s Ruling number 2018/32 (“Ruling”) was published in Official Gazette number 30422 on 15 May 2018.

The Ruling states the following data controllers will not be obliged to register with the Registry for data processing activities within the scope of their fields of activity:

  • Foundations.
  • Associations.
  • Public notaries.
  • Lawyers.
  • Public accountants and sworn-in public accountants.
  • Unions.
  • Political parties.

In addition, data controllers which process personal data through non-automatic means are also exempt from registry requirement, provided the processing is part of a data filing system.

The Board is empowered to announce exemptions for the Registry, based on objectivity criteria. The Registry is expected to become operational in the near future after operational details were recently announced (more).

Please see this link for the full text of the Ruling (only available in Turkish).