05.01.2026 23:41
The data leak scandal at Izmir University of Economics grew with allegations of cyber violence and harassment. Female students whose personal information was disclosed and who were subjected to a beauty-ugliness voting held a sit-in and protest march. The students called on the school administration to transparently explain the extent of the data leak.
The scandal that started with a data leak at İzmir University of Economics has turned into an uproar with allegations of cyber violence and harassment. Female students whose personal information was disclosed and who were subjected to beauty-ugliness voting held both a sit-in and a protest march. The students called on the school administration to transparently explain the extent of the data leak, shouting, "There is harassment at İEÜ, do not remain silent against cyber violence!"
CYBER LEAK TURNED INTO HARASSMENT
The claim that due to a vulnerability in the database, private information such as students' phone numbers and home addresses fell into the hands of malicious individuals brought along allegations of harassment. Many female students announced on social media that they were harassed by unknown individuals after their information was leaked. The hashtags #ThereIsHarassmentAtIEU and #CyberViolenceAtIEU quickly rose to the top of Turkey's agenda.
ONE VOICE IN THE NIGHT MARCH: WE ARE NOT SAFE!
Students held a sit-in during the day to protest what had happened. The protests continued in the evening with a march on campus. A large number of students walking on campus with torches and cellphone lights described the administration's silence as "complicity." In the action, where especially female students took the front lines, slogans such as "We do not want harassers on campus" and "Those who cannot protect our data cannot ensure our safety" were raised.
ULTIMATUM FROM STUDENTS TO THE ADMINISTRATION
The university administration's failure to take concrete steps regarding the issue and its lack of an apology are fueling anger. The protesting students listed their demands as follows:
The extent of the data leak should be explained transparently.
Those responsible for the security vulnerabilities that led to cyber violence and harassment should be held accountable.
Student safety on campus and in digital platforms should be ensured urgently.
"FEMALE STUDENTS DO NOT WANT TO BE TRAPPED IN SCHOOL"
A group of students participating in the protests stated, "Not only our information but also our peace and personal safety have been stolen. We are students of this school, not its customers. While our addresses have been disclosed, the school's silence encourages harassers," they said.