Turkish restrictions on civil servant social media income

The Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye issued a warning to civil servants regarding income generated from digital platforms, including YouTube, social media, blogs, and mobile application development. An official assessment sent to the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) stated that such activities may violate Article 28 of the Civil Servants Law No. 657, which prohibits civil servants from engaging in trade or other gainful activities. The assessment clarified that digital content creation is not exempt from being classified as commercial activity, regardless of existing tax exemptions.

Following these instructions, the focus has specifically impacted academics, some of whom have reportedly closed their social media accounts to avoid legal complications. While the regulatory approach is currently centered on the academic sector, there are indications it may be expanded to include all public sector employees and various ministries. The move has prompted debate concerning academic freedom and the capacity for public employees to participate in digital discourse.

Recent developments highlight the specific tension regarding YouTube monetization. While academics are permitted to receive royalties from published books, the Presidential office’s opinion suggests that revenue from social media advertising may be classified as “commercial and profit-seeking activities.” This has forced some academics to consider difficult choices; for instance, Professor Behçet Yalın Özkara noted that maintaining a digital presence might require transitioning to direct audience support via platforms like Patreon or Kreosus to offset the loss of professional income and avoid violating the ban.