Türkiye is preparing draft legislation that would require social media users to verify their identities, as part of a broader push to strengthen legal accountability in the digital space.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said the proposal aims to combat online abuse, disinformation and criminal conduct. Under the planned rules, individuals who post, comment or share content on social media platforms would have to confirm their identities, effectively limiting the use of anonymous or fake accounts, The Caspian Post reports, citing Turkish media.

According to Gürlek, verified identities would enable authorities to hold users legally responsible if they disseminate harmful content, incite harassment, target individuals or engage in other unlawful activities online.

He argued that anonymity has facilitated intimidation campaigns and the spread of misinformation, affecting both public figures and private citizens. Strengthening accountability, he said, would contribute to a safer digital environment.

If passed by Parliament, the regulation would be implemented under the supervision of the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK). Existing users may be given a transition period to complete the verification process, after which unverified accounts could face restrictions.

Gürlek noted that the ministry is coordinating the initiative with other relevant institutions and emphasized that the measure seeks to strike a balance between safeguarding freedom of expression and preventing online crimes and rights violations. He described the proposal as part of a wider effort to modernize Türkiye’s legal framework in response to risks posed by rapidly evolving digital platforms.

Separately, the ministry is drafting amendments concerning minors involved in criminal activity under the forthcoming 12th Judicial Reform Package, in coordination with the Family and Social Services Ministry.

Gürlek said officials are reassessing existing age-based categories of criminal responsibility and reviewing the legal definition of “children driven to crime.”

Under current law in Türkiye, criminal liability is divided between the 12-15 and 15-18 age groups. The planned changes aim to address cases in which criminal networks and street gangs exploit legal gaps by recruiting minors.