19.03.2026 13:01
Istanbul Arel University held a symposium on "Consumer Issues and Solutions" in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Trade and LOBİN International as part of World Consumer Rights Week. The event, attended by academics, public representatives, and business leaders, addressed the current state of consumer rights and potential solutions.
The program held at the Istanbul Arel University Cevizlibağ Campus Conference Hall started at 1:00 PM. The opening speech was made by Prof. Dr. C. Uğur Özgöker, the Head of the International Relations Department at Istanbul Arel University. Özgöker emphasized the importance of consumer protection and highlighted the necessity of legal regulation in this regard.
The first session of the meeting was conducted under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Ali Akdemir, the Director of LEE at Istanbul Arel University. In his opening speech, Akdemir stated: "As Arel University, we are very proud to organize this event. Understanding consumer rights is directly related to human rights. When awareness is raised about human rights, consumers can make the most accurate and informed decisions." Akdemir also addressed the importance of social awareness, emphasizing that protecting consumer rights is everyone's responsibility through education and information.
In the first session, speeches were delivered by Prof. Dr. Ersin Göse from Istanbul Arel University, Deputy Minister of Trade Mahmut Gürcan, Vice Chairman of the Board of LOBİN International Fehim Ustaoğlu, Zeytinburnu Mayor Ömer Arısoy, Minister of Economy and Energy of the TRNC Olgun Amcaoğlu, former President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar, President of EGD Hasan Arslan, and Middle East President of the European Economic Senate Iraj Alipour.
Prof. Dr. Ersin Göse, who took the stage at the summit, stated, "It is very important for consumers to reach the right product and to know their rights. A conscious consumer protects themselves and contributes to the establishment of a fair balance in the market."
Deputy Minister of Trade Mahmut Gürcan, who made significant contributions at the consumer summit, made important statements regarding consumer protection, market inspections, and new generation trade regulations. Gürcan shared a wide range of ongoing efforts, from combating fake advertisements to the renewed product market.
"MANDATORY ID VERIFICATION THROUGH E-GOVERNMENT" Gürcan stated that a new era has begun to prevent grievances experienced on advertisement sites, using the following expressions: "A period of posting advertisements has started by verifying identities through e-Government on advertisement sites. Thus, we have prevented fake advertisements."
He reminded that a "Secure Payment System" has been implemented to prevent fraud in vehicle sales and that all transactions will be carried out through this system.
"SUPPORT FOR 'RENEWED PRODUCTS' IN THE ECONOMY" Gürcan stated that they attach great importance to the renewed product system with the aim of sustainability and protecting consumer budgets, saying: "Products such as mobile phones, smartwatches, computers, and game consoles are renewed with a 24-month warranty at ministry-approved centers and made available for consumer use again. With this system, we both protect the environment and provide quality service to citizens at an affordable cost."
"IT IS MEANINGFUL TO TALK ABOUT CONSUMER RIGHTS WHILE CHILDREN ARE BEING KILLED" Former TRNC President Ersin Tatar harshly reacted to human rights violations in his speech at the Consumer Rights Week event. Tatar drew attention to the humanitarian dramas in Gaza and Iran, using the following expressions: "While human rights are brutally violated in Gaza and Iran, and children are being killed, it is meaningful to talk about consumer rights. The contradictions are very deep; the issue of rights should be examined thoroughly." Emphasizing the "double standards" in the world, Tatar highlighted the contradiction created by ignoring the most basic human rights while defending other rights.
The second session was held under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Ali Akdemir. In this session, speeches were shared by Hanzade Topaloğlu, Chairman of the Board of Toplilts, Merve Ünler Yılmaz, Chairman of Özteknik, M. Memduh Yavuz, Vice Chairman of MY Tillo Architecture, Furkan Duran, Blockchain Software Developer at Sirius Labs, and Emine Gedikoğlu Koç from Gedikoğlu Yapım.
Additionally, Dr. Gözde Zeytin Çağrı, Partner at Alfa Investment UK Dr. Necip Uludağ, Chairman of the Board of Nova Arsa Turgay Kolcuoğlu, Editor-in-Chief of Haberler.com Av. Bediha Teymur, and Chairman of the Board of Maxi Kimya Dr. İlhan Ünal participated as speakers.
ATTENTION WAS DRAWN TO MANIPULATIVE PRACTICES ON ONLINE PLATFORMS Av. Bediha Teymur, Editor-in-Chief of Haberler.com, in her speech, highlighted the changing consumption habits with digitalization, particularly addressing the manipulative practices encountered on online platforms. Teymur stated that consumers are often unknowingly directed in the modern shopping experience, expressing that these methods, referred to as "dark patterns," are interface techniques that lead users to make certain decisions. Teymur emphasized that such practices weaken the consumer's conscious decision-making process and create a new area that needs to be evaluated legally.
Dr. Gözde Zeytin Çağrı from the Arel University Vocational School stated in her evaluation regarding consumer rights that caution should be exercised against discount and labeling games. She noted that consumers can submit their complaints about advertisements through the Advertising Board via e-Government, drawing attention to the frequent use of misleading discount perceptions. Çağrı emphasized that the price of a product can be raised first and then presented as if it has been discounted, stating that consumers need to act more consciously while shopping.
During the meeting, the protection of consumer rights, new issues faced by consumers in the digitalization age, legal processes, and sectoral solution proposals were discussed in detail.
Participants emphasized the importance of raising consumer awareness and inter-institutional collaboration.
Ferah Zeydan added color to the event by performing as a guest singer at Arel University.
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