Turkey implements e-commerce crackdowns and tourism projects

The Turkish Ministry of Trade is intensifying its crackdown on deceptive e-commerce practices. The Advertising Board has identified and blocked numerous internet addresses involved in manipulating consumer behavior through artificial engagement. These practices include the use of bots to generate fake reviews, likes, star ratings, and followers, as well as services that artificially add products to shopping carts or favorites to boost visibility. Additionally, the Board is targeting services that hide negative consumer reviews to prevent shoppers from accessing authentic user experiences.

In a separate regulatory matter, the Ministry of Trade is monitoring simit prices in Istanbul following a 20 percent increase from 25 TL to 30 TL. Deputy Minister Mahmut Gürcan stated that field inspections are being conducted to ensure businesses adhere to official price tariffs, warning that the heaviest administrative sanctions will be applied to those violating regulations.

In Trabzon, a new project is being launched to integrate the region's geographically indicated products into gastronomy tourism. A collaboration between the Trabzon Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Eastern Black Sea Development Agency aims to create a tourism network across 18 districts. The initiative will focus on nine specific products, including Akçaabat Köftesi and Hamsiköy Sütlacı, by establishing gastronomy experience stops and a destination map to connect local producers with the tourism sector.