How to Perform e-Devlet Age Verification on Social Media? Instagram, TikTok, Facebook
With the new regulation preventing users under the age of 15 from opening accounts on social media platforms, age verification processes will be conducted using an e-Devlet token starting November 1. So, how will age verification be done on social media, and can it be done without e-Devlet? Here is what you need to know...
Following extensive efforts, the social media restriction has been officially approved in Turkey. Youth or children aged 15 and under will now be required to verify via e-Devlet to use new and existing accounts. So, how is e-Devlet age verification done? All details regarding social media age verification are in our news article.
With the new regulation published in the Official Gazette, age verification has become mandatory on social media platforms. According to the regulation, children under the age of 15 will not be allowed to open new accounts on social networks. The e-Devlet-based verification process for newly opened accounts will begin on November 1.
How to Perform e-Devlet Age Verification?
The regulation, which covers all social network providers, particularly Instagram and TikTok, also directly affects existing accounts. The final deadline granted for existing users to complete their age verification procedures has been set as March 31, 2027. A new era will begin in Turkey starting from this date.
In this model, users will not have to share their identity information directly with social media platforms. Verification will be carried out through an "age verification token" to be obtained via the e-Devlet Gateway or its mobile application.
Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş explained how the system works with the following words: "According to the new regulation, users who want to open an account on social media platforms for the first time will be redirected to the e-Devlet system for age verification. The user will receive a digital code via e-Devlet that verifies information regarding their age. By completing the age verification process through this code, they will be able to create an account on the social media platform."
Minister Göktaş also issued the following warnings for suspicious situations: "Social media platforms will continue to estimate users' ages using their own technological methods and perform necessary checks while providing services. If a suspicion arises that an account is being used by a child under the age of 15, the platform will temporarily suspend the account in question and redirect the user to perform age verification via e-Devlet again."
How Does This Regulation Affect Users?
Age checking for social media accounts consists of different stages depending on age groups and existing account statuses.
| User Group | Rule to be Applied | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Under 15 years old | Account creation will not be allowed | As of November 1 |
| 15-17 age group | Will be subject to special security and usage rules | As of November 1 |
| New account creators | Verification via e-Devlet code will be mandatory | November 1 [VERIFY: Year information not specified in text] |
| Existing account holders | Will complete verification procedures | March 31, 2027 |
The verification screen has not yet been made available in the e-Devlet system. Official authorities expect the screen to become active as of November 1.
Warning from DMM Against Fake Verification Links
The Center for Countering Disinformation (DMM) warned citizens against scammers taking advantage of the age verification requirement. DMM pointed out that personal and financial information could be targeted.
In the announcement made by the institution, it was emphasized that SMS, e-mails, and messages containing misleading phrases such as "Your account will be closed" or "Complete your age verification immediately" should not be relied upon. It was reminded that age verification procedures will only be carried out through the turkiye.gov.tr address and the official e-Devlet mobile application.
When the date reaches November 1, social media platforms will also roll out their regulations according to the new directive.
This article was translated from Turkish. Read the original article in Turkish.
