The Ministry of Trade warned against "November wind" discounts in online shopping.

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Trade Minister Ömer Bolat stated that they are increasing measures to prevent citizens from being defrauded during the November shopping season, where numerous campaigns are being prepared, and said, "If our citizens encounter any problems, they should report their complaints through our Ministry's website 'https://www.turkiye.gov.tr/tuketici-sikayeti-uygulamasi' without wasting time, and necessary actions will be taken immediately."

E-COMMERCE BREAKING RECORDS ON TOP OF RECORDS

Bolat mentioned that e-commerce, which has been steadily growing in recent years both globally and in Turkey, has reached record levels due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He pointed out that with the developments in internet technologies, logistics, and financial services, the share of e-commerce in global trade has seen significant increases every year, noting that global retail e-commerce sales reached 5.8 trillion dollars last year. Bolat stated, "This volume is expected to exceed 6.3 trillion dollars in 2024 and 8 trillion dollars by 2027. In Turkey, the e-commerce volume reached 1.85 trillion lira last year; it is projected to be 3.4 trillion lira this year."

A NUMBER OF REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE TO PROTECT CONSUMERS

Bolat expressed that a series of regulations have been made to prevent anti-competitive practices in the e-commerce sector, to avoid potential welfare loss for consumers, to establish a multi-player market structure, and to prevent unfair commercial conditions imposed on sellers in electronic commerce marketplaces, and provided information about these regulations.

"OBLIGATION TO REMOVE ILLEGAL CONTENT FROM ETAHS"

Recalling that significant changes were made to the Law on the Regulation of Electronic Commerce in 2022, Bolat stated that an obligation was introduced for electronic commerce intermediary service providers (ETAHS) to verify the identifying information of these businesses, such as their trade name, business name, registered brand name, Central Registration System (MERSIS) number, or tax identification number, in order to ensure a safer and more transparent e-commerce environment and to access detailed information about sellers operating in e-commerce marketplaces.

Bolat noted that ETAHS have been given the obligation to remove illegal content from publication and to report it to the relevant public institutions, continuing: "Advertising on search engines for keywords consisting of registered trademarks without obtaining prior positive consent in written or electronic form has been prohibited. Thus, it has been prevented that domain names of firms that are highly recognized in the public eye and are more favored by citizens are imitated and used."

PAY ATTENTION TO THE SECURITY STAMP DETAILS!

Bolat reminded that a Security Stamp System has been established to enhance security and service quality in e-commerce and to ensure the reliability of websites, stating that the list of businesses that have received the Security Stamp can be accessed at "www.guvendamgasi.org.tr".

"CAREFUL ATTENTION SHOULD BE PAID TO CAMPAIGNS AND DISCOUNTS"

Emphasizing that necessary penalties will be imposed on companies that act contrary to the rules, Bolat said, "In November, when numerous campaigns come together in the e-commerce sector, we will scrutinize the discounts made by e-commerce sites to prevent our citizens from being defrauded. If our citizens encounter any problems, they should report their complaints through our Ministry's website 'https://www.turkiye.gov.tr/tuketici-sikayeti-uygulamasi' without wasting time, and necessary actions will be taken immediately." Bolat also urged citizens to be cautious while shopping on websites, especially paying attention to whether the site's "domain address" matches.

WHAT TO DO WHEN ENCOUNTERING A PROBLEM?

Bolat pointed out that preferring secure payment methods and reviewing user comments about the product would facilitate citizens' tasks, stating: "Care should be taken regarding campaigns and discounts. Unrealistic discounts may carry a risk of fraud. While e-commerce is a method that facilitates life, it also brings some risks. In case of encountering a negative situation while engaging in e-commerce, it is necessary to first contact the e-commerce marketplace or e-commerce site where the product was purchased, and if no solution is found, it is necessary to apply to consumer arbitration boards or consumer courts. Additionally, if there is a suspicion of fraud, a criminal complaint can be made to the public prosecutor's office. Furthermore, if the payment is made with a credit card or debit card, an objection can be made to the relevant bank."

"238 MILLION TL FINES IMPOSED ON 54 COMPANIES"

Bolat stated that companies included in the inspection program are subject to administrative fines in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations regarding distance sales and practices, and in cases where violations of the legislation are identified, access restrictions can be requested for the website if deemed necessary, stating, "In the 9 months of this year, in the inspections and audits conducted by the Ministry, administrative fines totaling 238 million 155 thousand 602 lira were imposed on 54 companies found to be in violation of the relevant legislation regarding distance sales activities."