125 Million TL Fine Issued by the Advertising Board for Misleading Advertisements
The Advertising Board of the Ministry of Trade imposed administrative fines totaling 125 million Turkish Lira for misleading advertisements during the January–May 2025 period. Additionally, cease orders were issued for 661 cases.
In the board’s meeting held on May 15, 65 cases were reviewed, and 56 were found to be in violation of regulations. These resulted in cease orders and a total of 10.5 million TL in administrative fines. In 5 cases, preventive measures were taken to avoid consumer harm.
According to a statement from the ministry, 736 cases were examined between January and May 2025. Cease orders were issued for 661 of them, and a total of 125.3 million TL in fines was imposed.
In May, the board also scrutinized website interface designs that could affect consumers’ rational decision-making, particularly those that promote products or services not normally encountered by consumers during online shopping.
In addition to product rankings, practices that manipulate consumer reviews were also evaluated. As a result, 6 companies that influenced consumer purchasing behavior through such promotions received 3.5 million TL in fines, and their advertisements were halted.
Free Trial Offers and Dark Patterns Under Investigation
The board also reviewed advertisements that collected consumers’ banking information while offering “1 or 2-month free trials.”
These practices, which used interface designs to lead consumers into transactions they wouldn’t normally engage in—such as signing up for subscriptions under the guise of free trials and collecting payment information—were classified as “dark patterns.” The companies involved were fined, and their commercial activities were suspended.
