Istanbul prosecutors order detention of 31 lawyers over illegal data panel

September 4, 2026 at 01:13 PM2 min

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Istanbul prosecutors ordered the detention of 31 lawyers and searches at 39 law offices on Thursday over the alleged use of illegally obtained personal data in subscription-based query systems. Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek said citizens' privacy is inviolable and that the investigation is being conducted meticulously.

Key Facts

Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office ordered the detention of 31 lawyers and searches at 39 law offices.
The investigation concerns illegal acquisition of citizens' personal data and its use in 'panel' query systems.
The systems were allegedly sold to some law firms for a fee and used through a subscription model.
Some suspects allegedly contacted citizens with false claims such as 'Your debt has entered legal proceedings' to pressure them.
In the first phase of the investigation, 10 suspects were indicted.

Detention and Search Orders

Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Bilişim Suçları Soruşturma Bürosu coordinated the investigation with the Istanbul Police Department's Cybercrime Unit. Prosecutors ordered the detention of 31 lawyers based on concrete evidence that they used the illegal panel system. Searches and seizures were initiated at 39 different law offices. Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek stated that citizens' privacy is inviolable and that those who abuse the law will not go unpunished.

Illegal Data Panel System

Investigators found that citizens' personal data was illegally obtained and used in query systems called 'panel'. The systems were allegedly sold to some law firms for a fee and made available through a subscription model. Some law firms allegedly accessed information about individuals with whom they had no legal relationship through these systems. Suspects allegedly contacted citizens using false statements such as 'Your debt has entered legal proceedings', 'You missed the reconciliation process', and 'A lien has been initiated against you'.

Investigation Progress

In the first phase of the investigation, legal action was taken against suspects identified as having established, operated, or participated in the revenue flow of the illegal system. A public lawsuit was filed against 10 suspects. After the investigation was expanded, detention orders were issued for 31 lawyers with concrete evidence of using the illegal panel system. Gürlek emphasized that the investigation is being conducted meticulously.