Türkiye prepares to tackle big tech with bold new regulations inspired by EU

According to a new article, Fortune features that Türkiye is gearing up to challenge the power of global tech giants with a new set of regulations that could reshape the digital landscape, drawing inspiration from the EU’s tough stance on big tech. 

The proposed bill, expected to be submitted to parliament soon, takes inspiration from the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) and could lead to strained relations with the US.

According to senior Turkish officials, the bill would prevent companies like Apple Inc., Alphabet Inc.'s Google, Meta Platforms Inc., and Amazon.com Inc. from promoting their own services over competitors in search engines, app stores, and online marketplaces. The ruling party backs the legislation, which has been developed in collaboration with Türkiye’s antitrust authority.

The new rules would impose significant fines on companies that fail to comply, with penalties reaching up to 10 per cent of a company’s annual revenue.

The proposed regulations come at a time of growing tensions between the US and the EU over digital regulatory frameworks. The EU's DMA, which took effect in May 2023, targets anti-competitive practices by imposing strict obligations on so-called "gatekeeper" platforms. Türkiye's bill mirrors this approach, which could lead to complications in its trade relations with the US.

US President Donald Trump has previously criticized the DMA, calling it "overseas extortion" aimed at US tech firms, and has threatened to impose tariffs in retaliation.

The Turkish proposal would require platforms with closed ecosystems, such as Apple, to allow users to install third-party apps outside of their proprietary platforms. For Apple, this would mean enabling users to download apps on iPhones and iPads from sources other than the App Store, similar to how Google permits sideloading on Android devices.

Additionally, the bill would impose stricter controls on how platforms handle user data, requiring explicit consent for data processing and limiting its use for commercial purposes. It would also mandate greater transparency from tech companies to commercial users, such as app developers, advertisers, and marketplace sellers, regarding service scope, performance, and pricing.

While the proposal is still in its early stages and subject to revisions, it signals Türkiye’s intent to regulate tech giants more closely, aligning with the EU's growing push to rein in big tech. The final provisions of the bill may evolve during the legislative process, and its impact on international relations will be closely watched.

By Naila Huseynova