MLSA, 14 June - The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) Legal Unit has escalated the "Inquiry Panel" scandal, in which the personal data of over 100 million e-Government users was leaked and sold online, to the Constitutional Court.
Following the dismissal of their lawsuit against the Ministry of Interior for the data leak, MLSA argued that the administration’s negligence in protecting personal data violated privacy, freedom of expression, and the right to a fair trial. MLSA contends that the public disclosure of personal data poses a significant threat to millions of affected individuals.
The scandal involves detailed personal information of citizens and residents recorded in the e-Government system, which was exposed on a website selling the data. After the Ankara Administrative Court ruled in December 2023 that “although it is understood that the data was stolen, the administration has no responsibility,” MLSA’s appeal was rejected in April 2024, making the decision final.
Background of the case
In June 2023, FreeWebTurkey revealed that a site called Sorgu.live was selling personal information, including names, addresses, phone numbers, and bank account details, of citizens and residents for a fee. In response, MLSA filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Interior.
Despite the court’s ruling that the administration was not liable for the data breach, MLSA persisted, supported by expert opinions from Agora International Human Rights Group, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, and the Legal Resources Center.
