Technology Law: Turkey’s ICTA Amended Regulation on Domain Names

Information and Communication Technologies Authority of Turkey (“ICTA”) has recently amended the regulation on internet domains and thus the  management of ''.tr'' domain names was transferred to the ICTA and internet domain names registration institutions are obliged to comply with certain matters relating to protection of personal data.

Following to the amendment the use of TRABIS (a created centralized database, planning in the ordinance for the management of domain name registrations and transfers) is required for transactions relating to internet domain names and guidance services and authorization codes should be sent via TRABİS.

Additionally, it brings out new obligations relating to the protection of personal data  and internet domain names registration institutions  are required to; comply with the legislation regarding protection of personal data and other related legislation and keep TRABİS-integrated systems and back-ups within the boundaries of the Republic of Turkey,

Data retention and sharing related provisions entered into force and internet domain names registration institutions will no longer back-up the information and electronic documents regarding internet domain names at least once an hour. Instead, these rules may be defined by the ICTA regarding period of backing-up, retention and conditions of back-ups.

A shift from Nic.tr to ICTA

Contrary to the filing procedure applied up to date, those filing for internet domain names registration should apply to ICTA instead of Nic.tr (“.tr” Domain Names Management) of Middle East Technical University and the ICTA shall evaluate whether the applicants have completed the necessary procedures specified in the legislation and issues a certificate of activity. 

Ezgi Ceren Aydoğmuş