New Regulation for the Game Sector in Türkiye: Age Verification via e-Devlet and Local Rating Discussions

Türkiye Oyun Geliştiriciler Derneği (TOGED) shared important details with the public regarding potential new legal regulations for the sector following an approximately four-hour meeting with the research commission established in the TBMM. It was stated that during this meeting, various measures were discussed, particularly aimed at minimizing the negative effects that digital games could have on children in younger age groups. One of the most striking topics on the agenda was the possibility of deploying the e-Devlet infrastructure used nationwide in the process of verifying players' ages. Additionally, it was conveyed that specific suggestions, such as monitoring the games downloaded by children and informing guidance counselors via e-mail in case of a potential negative situation, were also discussed.

It was expressed that while the current system uses the PEGI (Pan-European Game Information) system, which is valid worldwide and represents international standards, discussions regarding the creation of a new rating system specific to Türkiye have resurfaced. In statements made by TOGED, it was emphasized that categorizing games according to age groups is carried out quite practically with the current PEGI system, and therefore, whether an additional local system is needed requires technical assessments. It is known that this international system, currently adopted by game developers and publishers, is considered sufficient to meet legal obligations. However, the possibility of implementing a rating mechanism specific to Türkiye to better reflect local dynamics was also dwelt upon.

The issue of the applicability of an age rating system or age verification mechanism specific to Türkiye poses serious challenges in terms of technical infrastructure and compatibility with international platforms. Experts frequently mention how costly and labor-intensive it would be for global giants like Valve, the owner of Steam, one of the largest distribution platforms in the gaming industry, to comply with regional and unilateral regulations. Implementing such a system would require the reclassification and monitoring of thousands of games on the platform, making it seem unsustainable both in terms of time and cost. Whether the technical infrastructure is suitable for this is also a subject of debate.

Beyond the technical difficulties, proposals such as age verification processes planned to be carried out via the e-Devlet gateway and monitoring players' in-game behavior raise significant concerns regarding data security and privacy. The integration of user data between digital platforms and state systems is considered a risky area in terms of global data protection standards and the security of personal data. Therefore, the question of under which protocols this technological integration will operate and who will process the data under what conditions is among the most critical elements that need to be clarified before becoming a legal regulation.

In conclusion, while industry representatives and opinion leaders see benefit in reviewing the solutions offered by current global systems, they express the opinion that investigating solutions compatible with international standards, rather than unilateral applications, would be more correct. In particular, encouraging the effective use of parental control tools already offered by major platforms like Steam and Epic Games is considered a more logical step before moving on to new and strict bans. This process continues to maintain its importance for establishing a balanced and feasible legal ground that protects the rights of both players and developers.