While the security of our personal information on the internet remains a matter of debate around the world, a striking claim has been made today about Turkey. According to the news, the file published by Medyascope Information Technology and Communication Authority (BTK)received hourly information such as the websites you visited, the people you texted or called on WhatsApp, and your location data from ISPs.

According to the confidential document dated December 15, 2020, which Medyascope claims to have seized, BTK is one of the internet service providers. Internet traffic logs of all users to be sent to him every hour demanded. Another document explained what information would be sent to the BTK and in what format.

What information did BTK want from internet providers?

Based on Medyascope’s document history is estimated to last about 1.5 years The information flow to BTK included the following information from each citizen:

• Name and surname of the subscriber (if legal entity, the official name),
• The IP number the subscriber is currently using,
• With which application or website he exchanges data,
• The start date and time of the data exchange in question, how long the data exchange takes,
• How much data it receives and how much data it sends

On the other hand, traffic data does not include the content of emails, WhatsApp messages or messages sent from other applications. One of the points that made the claim about BTK standout was that the subscribers requested the information directly with their name and surname, not anonymously.

Then why does the BTK request this information?

According to the document that was to be seized, ICTA did not disclose the said data related to the activities on the internet.in judicial and preventive scope‘ asked because more detailed information is needed. However, it is not clear what the data will be used for.

BTK requested a ‘subscriber pattern’ for internet subscribers in 2018:

On December 4, 2018, the BTK obtained information from operators, including personal information of internet users. subscriber files He wanted it to be shared with him. This information included the subscriber’s surname, gender, TR ID, passport, tax and MERSIS numbers, mother and father and mother’s maiden name, occupation, place and date of birth, address, and old mobile phone number.

No statement yet from BTK or service providers:

BTK or its service providers have not yet shared a statement about the documents that Medyascope allegedly seized. Topic last month CHP Vice-Chairman Honorary Adıgüzel It was brought up on social media, but no official statement was made: