Turkey cracks down on misleading ads, imposing 863 million TL fine on SUV promo and banning fortune‑telling advertising

Turkey's advertising regulations prohibit the promotion of fortune‑telling, mediumship, witchcraft and similar services that claim to produce real results. Under the Consumer Protection Law and RTÜK rules, such ads are illegal unless clearly marked as entertainment, and violators can face administrative penalties.

The Ministry of Trade's Advertising Board applied one of the country's largest penalties, fining an automotive manufacturer more than 863 million TL for a 2025 SUV advertisement that listed equipment—such as a rear armrest, wireless charger and step‑in seat—that was not present in the sold vehicle. The decision underscores consumer‑rights enforcement, allowing buyers to seek remedies like price reductions, and signals heightened scrutiny of deceptive marketing across sectors.