TikTok to appoint representative in Turkey

Chinese-owned video-sharing app TikTok on Friday agreed to appoint a formal representative in Turkey, according to a senior Turkish official, Anadolu Agency reports.

“Our hope is that other social network providers will also report their representatives and fulfill their obligations,” Deputy Transport and Infrastructure Minister Omer Fatih Sayan said on Twitter.

Last year, Turkey imposed a fine of 40 million Turkish liras ($5.43 million) on multiple social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube for not complying with a new social media law.

The law requires social platforms to appoint local representatives in Turkey.

So far, Russian social media site VKontakte (VK), YouTube and TikTok have decided to assigned local representatives in the country.

READ: Turkey’s digital taxes discriminate against our companies, says US

As part of the new legislation, social media firms must respond to requests by the Turkish government in the Turkish language and must answer requests concerning personal and privacy rights within 48 hours.

The platforms should also publish semi-annual reports on their response rates to such requests.

Social networks that do not comply with court orders to remove illegal content are to be subject to penalties, according to the law.

In addition, it also holds social media companies to take measures to host Turkey-based users’ data in country.

READ: Social media suppresses up to 80% pro-Palestine content