DMM warns of social media age-verification scams

The Presidency’s Center for Combating Disinformation warned against fake messages exploiting the social media age-verification regulation taking effect on November 1. Verification will be conducted only through e-Devlet, while the deadline for existing accounts will run until March 31, 2027.

The Presidency’s Center for Combating Disinformation (DMM) warned against scams exploiting the social media age-verification regulation that will take effect on November 1, 2026. DMM said malicious actors were targeting personal and financial data through fake SMS messages, emails and links using panic-inducing phrases such as “Your account will be closed” and “Complete your age verification immediately.”

Under the regulation, which aims to protect children in the digital environment, age verification will be conducted only through an age-verification token generated via the e-Devlet Gateway. No identity information will be transmitted to platforms; they will only be able to see whether a user meets the required age threshold.

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The measure will initially apply only to newly created accounts from November 1. Existing accounts will have until March 31, 2027, to complete verification. Users were therefore urged to disregard messages such as “Your account will be deleted today if you do not verify it.”

DMM reminded users to complete age verification only through turkiye.gov.tr or the official e-Devlet mobile application, avoid clicking links received by SMS or email, and never share their e-Devlet password, SMS verification code or card details with anyone.