USER DATA AND DIGITAL PRIVACY: PRIVACY POLICIES OF SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 1, 225 - 239

Mustafa Böyük

https://doi.org/10.7456/tojdac.1569287

Abstract

This study examines how user data are collected, processed, and protected by analyzing the privacy policies and personal privacy violations of five of the world’s most widely used social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, X [Twitter], YouTube and TikTok). This research adopts a qualitative approach and analyses current user data and past privacy violations through document analysis and case studies. It also evaluates platforms’ compliance with regulations such as GDPR and KVKK. The study revealed that platforms provide transparency in data management; however, users have difficulty understanding complex privacy policies and therefore cannot provide informed consent. Incidents such as Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal and TikTok’s data breach highlight the need for stronger data security measures and user-friendly control mechanisms. This study states that both users and platforms should take responsibility for protecting user privacy. Platforms should develop clearer privacy policies and strengthen data security, while users should increase their media literacy and manage their data effectively. In addition, regulators should ensure the enforcement of privacy laws and introduce stricter penalties for violations. The study concludes that more research is required on data privacy, cultural factors influencing user behavior, and the impact of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, on privacy practices.

Keywords

Personal Data, Privacy, Digital Media, Social Media, Digital Privacy

KULLANICI VERİLERİ VE DİJİTAL MAHREMİYET: SOSYAL MEDYA PLATFORMLARININ GİZLİLİK POLİTİKALARI

Abstract

Bu çalışma, dünyada en çok kullanılan beş sosyal medya platformunun (Facebook, Instagram, X [Twitter], YouTube ve TikTok) gizlilik politikalarını ve kişisel gizlilik ihlallerini analiz ederek kullanıcı verilerinin nasıl toplandığını, işlendiğini ve korunduğunu incelemektedir. Araştırma, nitel bir yaklaşım benimseyerek döküman analizi ve vaka incelemesi yoluyla hem günümüzdeki kullanıcı verilerini incelemekte hem de geçmişteki gizlilik ihlallerini araştırmakta ve platformların GDPR ve KVKK gibi düzenlemelere uyumunu değerlendirmektedir. Çalışma, platformların veri yönetiminde şeffaflık sağlamayı amaçladığını ancak kullanıcıların karmaşık gizlilik politikalarını anlamakta zorlandığını ve bu nedenle bilinçli onam veremediklerini ortaya koymaktadır. Facebook’un Cambridge Analytica skandalı ve TikTok’un çocuk verileri ihlali gibi olaylar, daha güçlü veri güvenlik önlemlerine ve kullanıcı dostu kontrol mekanizmalarına duyulan ihtiyacı vurgulamaktadır. Çalışmada, kullanıcı gizliliğinin korunmasında hem kullanıcıların hem de platformların sorumluluk alması gerektiği belirtilmektedir. Platformlar daha net gizlilik politikaları geliştirmeli ve veri güvenliğini güçlendirmeli, kullanıcılar ise medya okuryazarlığını artırarak verilerini etkin bir şekilde yönetmelidir. Ayrıca düzenleyiciler gizlilik yasalarının uygulanmasını sağlamalı ve ihlaller için daha sıkı cezalar getirmelidir. Çalışma veri gizliliği, kullanıcı davranışlarını etkileyen kültürel faktörler ve yapay zekâ gibi yeni teknolojilerin gizlilik uygulamaları üzerindeki etkileri üzerine daha fazla araştırma yapılması gerektiği sonucuna varmaktadır.

Keywords

Kişisel Veri, Mahremiyet, Dijital Medya, Sosyal Medya, Dijital Mahremiyet

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