28.07.2026 12:30
The Ministry of Trade, within the scope of the verified listing regulation, monitored advertisements published on social media platforms and imposed a fine of 28.3 million lira on 232 businesses that violated the regulation in the first half of the year. As part of the administrative monetary penalty, Meta Platforms Istanbul Information Services Limited Company, which allowed the publication of real estate and vehicle advertisements violating the EIDS rules via Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, was also subject to an administrative fine.
The Ministry of Trade has expanded its inspections on digital platforms to prevent fake listings, speculative price increases, and unregistered activities in the trade of real estate and second-hand motor vehicles.
BUSINESSES UNDER STRICT SURVEILLANCE
The Ministry, after listing platforms, has also placed businesses sharing posts on social media channels under strict surveillance. In this context, during inspections conducted only for the real estate sector in the January-June period, administrative fines totaling 28 million 312 thousand 334 lira were imposed on 232 businesses acting contrary to regulations.
UNAUTHORIZED OPERATORS AFFECTED
The most common non-compliance encountered in inspections was carrying out brokerage activities without an authorization certificate. In this regard, fines of 22 million 550 thousand lira were imposed on 136 businesses found to be operating without certification. Complaints received through the Ministry's "Unauthorized Business Notification Module" were effective in accelerating these inspections.
META ALSO RECEIVED ITS SHARE OF FINES
Social media platforms are also required to comply with the obligations introduced under the Electronic Listing Verification System (EIDS).
Accordingly, an administrative fine was imposed on Meta Platforms Istanbul Information Services Limited Company, which allowed the publication of real estate and vehicle listings on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp in violation of EIDS rules.
The Ministry also warned companies sharing real estate and vehicle listings on social media platforms in violation of EIDS rules through a letter sent to relevant non-governmental organizations.
Reminding that EIDS introduces identity and authorization verification obligations for online listing platforms to prevent fake listings, listing clutter, speculative price increases, and consumer grievances, the letter stated: "This regulation covers all listings provided electronically, including those on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp."
SOCIAL MEDIA UNDER MONITORING
Indicating that real estate consultants and those involved in second-hand vehicle trade should only share links to listings verified through EIDS and published on official platforms via their social media accounts, the letter noted that businesses sharing images or texts directly as listings on social media channels without system verification are subject to administrative fines of up to 286 thousand 206 lira for each identified violation.