Turkish Law in EnglishTÜRKİYE
Constitution of the Republic of Türkiye

Article 22: C. Freedom of communication

PART TWO: FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND DUTIES › CHAPTER TWO: Rights and Duties of the Individual

Amended: 3/10/2001, Law No. 4709, Art. 7

Everyone has the freedom of communication. Privacy of communication is fundamental.

Unless there exists a decision duly given by a judge on one or more of the grounds of national security, public order, prevention of the commission of offences, protection of public health and public morals, or protection of the rights and freedoms of others, or unless there exists a written order of an authority empowered by law in cases where delay is prejudicial, again on these grounds, communication shall not be impeded nor its privacy be violated. The decision of the competent authority shall be submitted for the approval of the judge having jurisdiction within twenty-four hours. The judge shall announce his or her decision within forty-eight hours; otherwise, the decision shall automatically be lifted.

The public institutions and agencies to which exceptions may be applied shall be prescribed by law.

Original Turkish text

MADDE 22 · C. Haberleşme hürriyeti

(Değişik: 3/10/2001-4709/7 md.)

Herkes, haberleşme hürriyetine sahiptir. Haberleşmenin gizliliği esastır.

Millî güvenlik, kamu düzeni, suç işlenmesinin önlenmesi, genel sağlık ve genel ahlâkın korunması veya başkalarının hak ve özgürlüklerinin korunması sebeplerinden biri veya birkaçına bağlı olarak usulüne göre verilmiş hâkim kararı olmadıkça; yine bu sebeplere bağlı olarak gecikmesinde sakınca bulunan hallerde de kanunla yetkili kılınmış merciin yazılı emri bulunmadıkça; haberleşme engellenemez ve gizliliğine dokunulamaz. Yetkili merciin kararı yirmidört saat içinde görevli hâkimin onayına sunulur. Hâkim, kararını kırksekiz saat içinde açıklar; aksi halde, karar kendiliğinden kalkar.

İstisnaların uygulanacağı kamu kurum ve kuruluşları kanunda belirtilir.

Text as of 1 October 2026 · Official source (Turkish): mevzuat.gov.tr ↗

Unofficial translation for information only. The Turkish text published in the Official Gazette is the only authoritative version. This page is not legal advice.