04.01.2026 20:41
A website targeting female students at Izmir University of Economics without their consent has caused a major backlash. It was claimed that female students registered since 2001 were subjected to voting under titles such as 'most beautiful / ugliest' and that their photos and student numbers were shared without their consent.
The emergence of a website targeting female students at Izmir University of Economics without their consent has sparked a significant backlash on the university campus and social media. It was claimed that female students registered since 2001 were subjected to voting under titles such as "most beautiful / ugliest," and their photos along with student numbers were shared without their consent.
According to a report by Ege'ye Bakış, university students emphasized that the unauthorized use of personal data belonging to female students cannot be seen as a joke or entertainment, highlighting that the incident constitutes a clear violation of personal data and cyber violence.
"IT IS UNKNOWN WHAT INFORMATION WAS ACCESSED"
Students expressed that their biggest concern is the uncertainty about what personal information the person or people who prepared the site accessed. It was noted that this situation has caused anxiety not only for the targeted students but for the entire university community.
COMMON CALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
After the incident became known, many students made calls on social media. In the posts, it was requested that no one visit the site, refrain from voting, and not contribute to the spread of the content through clicks. Students pointed out that even sharing screenshots feeds into cyber violence.
"CANNOT BE NORMALIZED"
University students called on the authorities, emphasizing that what has happened cannot be normalized. They demanded that the incident be investigated urgently, actions be taken against those responsible, and that the university administration and related institutions inform the public.
THE SITE WAS SHUT DOWN, A STATEMENT WAS LEFT
When access to the site, which was closed for a while, was attempted later, a message was encountered stating that the site had been shut down and the photos had been deleted. The message on the site included the following statements:
"Farewell and Forgiveness
If I have hurt you, if I have unintentionally offended you, or if I have any rights over you; my intention was to draw attention to the cybersecurity vulnerability at the school.
I did not want to disturb anyone knowingly. I sincerely apologize for what has happened. I have permanently deleted all files.
If I have any rights over you, even as small as a mustard seed, may it be forgiven.
Please forgive me as well."
REACTIONS CONTINUE
Students stated that the closure of the site did not eliminate the violation that occurred and called for deterrent and preventive measures to be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening again.