Factors determining data protection law awareness :|the case of Turkey

Abstract

Data protection is one of the most important subjects that reshape the people’s world as an individual, employee and customer. Different pioneer countries in the world have specific data protection laws and regulations. In this research, the relationship between data protection law in Turkey namely KVKK, Kişisel Verilerin Korunması Kanunu in Turkish, and 3 different types of awareness namely individual awareness, employee awareness and customer awareness with their specific features are examined using statistical methods. This research answers the question of “What is the degree of KVKK awareness based on three different awareness types. “The literature gap regarding KVKK awareness is aimed to be fulfilled with this research. Socio-demographical factors are taken as the key determinants of individual awareness. As expected, gender is not an effective factor over individual awareness. Interestingly, income does not have influence over individual awareness. Furthermore, age and education and region have been categorized as a determinant factor for individual awareness. Company incentives and trainings, government regulations effect is taken into the consideration while examining the relationship between employee awareness and KVKK awareness. Company incentives are not influential over KVKK awareness, but the existence government regulations may affect this relationship. Application usage frequency is assumed as a factor that might change the relationship between KVKK awareness and customer awareness. All in all, individual awareness, customer awareness and employee awareness have been found as a key determinant of KVKK awareness in Turkey.