New Regulations Hit Gaming Platforms in Turkiye: What It Means for Players

In a significant move, Turkiye has recently passed legislation that brings about notable changes for gaming platforms like Steam and Epic Games. This decision, announced by the Family and Social Services Ministry earlier this year, aims to impose stricter regulations, claiming to enhance child safety. However, it also signals a new chapter in how Turkish gamers access their favorite platforms.

The newly approved bill, albeit with some adjustments, sets the stage for a tighter grip on gaming platforms. Starting now, any gaming service with over 100,000 daily users in Turkiye must appoint a local representative. This representative doesn’t necessarily need to have an office in the country, but their contact details must be prominently displayed on the platform. Additionally, they will be required to respond to government inquiries within a specific timeframe.

In case of rule violations, platforms will first receive a warning and a month to rectify the issue. Failing to do so will lead to hefty fines — starting at 10 million Turkish lira (approximately $223,000) and potentially rising to 30 million lira (about $668,000) if the problem persists. If the penalties still don’t prompt compliance, access speeds to these platforms could face restrictions.

Fortunately for gamers, the situation could have been much worse. More severe measures, such as the authority to shut down gaming platforms or enforce maximum playtime limits, were ultimately rejected. While unrated games will now automatically receive an 18+ rating, developers are no longer responsible for verifying players’ ages.

Compared to gaming platforms, social media companies have borne the brunt of these regulations. The new rules ban all social media access for users under 15, and platforms must adhere to stringent content removal requests linked to national security within just one hour. They’ll also have to provide data to authorities upon request and fund assessments regarding their platforms’ social impacts. If they fail to act on these requests promptly, they risk facing advertising bans and severe bandwidth reductions.

This legislation, introduced under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, raises concerns about potential abuses of power, as the definitions of “public safety” and “illegal content” can vary widely. While the government insists that these measures are in the interest of child safety, many observers are wary of the broader implications for freedom of expression and information access.

Although the law is now in effect, platforms like Steam will have a six-month grace period to comply with the new regulations. Pakistani gamers and developers alike are keeping a close eye on how this unfolds and what it will mean for their gaming experience in the region.