Legal liability arising from the unlawful processing of personal data on the internet

Playing the principal role in the globalization of the world and the enabling of communication among people regardless of distances, mass media has reached a whole new level with the introduction of the internet in our lives and the development of an ever-expanding user base with the help of new technologies as well as extra novelties delivered every single day. Internet triggers massive amounts of data generation in quantities beyond numerical definition with the means and services it offers to millions of people enabling them to communicate with each other without breaking a single drop of sweat. The protection of personal data in this environment becomes increasingly important because of the unique nature of the internet. While it is true that the many services and facilities offered by the internet in accessing information contributes to the collective benefit of the humankind, a substantive power imbalance exists between the real person users and the actors operating on the internet, big corporations in particular. Processing personal data for business concerns is essential for the sustainability of the internet; it is, however, equally essential not to overlook the fundamental rights. This study tries to address the legal analyses concerning the balancing of the two competing interests from the comparative perspective of the Turkish laws and the international legislation.