Turkish Trade Ministry launches strict advertising rules for AI, influencers and discounts
The Ministry of Trade has amended the Commercial Advertising and Unfair Trade Practices Regulation (published in the Official Gazette No. 33297 on 1 July 2026) with new rules that take effect on 1 August 2026. The changes tighten controls on targeted advertising, ban profiling of children, and require advertisers to disclose the data criteria used to serve ads.
Ads created with artificial‑intelligence‑generated images, videos or digital characters must be clearly labeled, and deep‑fake impersonations of real people are prohibited. Influencers must label any paid, gifted or promotional content with the words “advertisement” or “promotion,” and the label must be prominently visible.
Discount‑sale advertisements must now base the pre‑discount price on the lowest price recorded in the preceding ten days (or the previous price for perishable goods). Environmental claims such as “eco‑friendly” may only be used if supported by documentation from accredited bodies. Advertising of illegal gambling, fortune‑telling services and other prohibited products is also banned.
Consumer‑complaint platforms have had their response window cut from 72 hours to 48 hours, and unverified consumer reviews are no longer allowed on e‑commerce sites. These measures aim to improve transparency, protect consumers and ensure fair competition in Turkey’s digital market.