Administrative Monetary Fines under Law No. 6698 on the Protection of Personal Data: Current Risks and Compliance Assesment 14 January 2026
Under Law No. 6698 on the Protection of Personal Data, the obligations relating to the processing of personal data are being supported by increasingly severe sanctions each year for both data controllers and data processors. The administrative monetary fines announced by the Personal Data Protection Authority for 2026 clearly demonstrate that KVKK compliance is not an area that can be postponed or addressed merely in a formalistic manner.
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The administrative monetary fines announced by the Personal Data Protection Authority for 2026 have been increased by applying a revaluation rate of 25.49% compared to 2025. This increase has significantly amplified the economic impact of the sanctions that may be imposed in the event of violations of personal data protection obligations. |
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Main Areas of Violation Carrying High Risk |
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As of 2026, non-compliance with the following obligations may give rise to substantial administrative monetary fines: |
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In particular, in cases involving violations of data security obligations or non-compliance with the decisions of the Board, the upper limit of the administrative monetary fines prescribed for 2026 reaches TRY 17,092,242. |
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Comparative Assessment for the 2025-2026 Period; |
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The administrative monetary fines determined for 2026 have been established by applying a 25.49% increase to all minimum and maximum thresholds that were applicable in 2025. The categories of violations set out below are among those most frequently subject to sanctions in the Authority's practice and represent the highest financial risk for companies. |
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In the event of failure to fulfil the information obligation: |
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In the event of a breach of obligations relating to data security: |
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In the event of failure to comply with the decisions of the Personal Data Protection Board: |
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In the event of non-compliance with the registration and notification obligations with the Data Controllers' Registry (VERBİS): |
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In the event of failure to submit notifications regarding standard contractual clauses within the prescribed time limits: |
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These figures clearly demonstrate that the Authority addresses violations of personal data protection obligations within the framework of an increasingly deterrent sanctions policy. |
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Key Risks Highlighted in Light of the Authority's Practice |
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An analysis of the Authority's decisions and enforcement practice indicates that the most frequently sanctioned violations primarily include incomplete or merely formalistic privacy notices, inadequate technical and administrative data security measures, failure to comply with VERBİS obligations, and data transfer processes that are not conducted in accordance with procedural requirements. |
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In this context, it is of critical importance not only to maintain written documentation, but also to effectively integrate KVKK compliance into operational processes, enhance employee awareness, and regularly update internal procedures in line with the decisions of the Personal Data Protection Board. |
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Conclusion and Assessment |
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The administrative monetary fines determined for 2026 and increased by a revaluation rate of 25.49% clearly demonstrate that compliance with the KVKK cannot be regarded as a deferrable or secondary matter. Any lack of compliance may result not only in the risk of administrative monetary fines, but also in reputational damage, disruption of business operations, and an increase in legal disputes. |
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In this context, it is of paramount importance for companies to reassess their existing KVKK compliance frameworks by taking into account the updated penalty amounts applicable for 2026, to update their risk analyses, and to adopt a proactive compliance approach. In line with these considerations, it is recommended that companies prioritise a review of their current status, particularly with respect to data security measures, the alignment of privacy notices with actual processing activities, and compliance with VERBİS obligations. |
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