Karadeniz Technical University demonstrates its commitment to personal data protection and privacy through a comprehensive institutional framework aligned with the Turkish Personal Data Protection Law No. 6698 (KVKK), which serves as the national equivalent of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The university has established a governance structure that integrates legal compliance, institutional responsibility, transparency, stakeholder rights, data security, and continuous improvement into its data protection practices.

To ensure effective implementation of personal data protection requirements, Karadeniz Technical University has established a dedicated Personal Data Protection Unit operating under the Rectorate. The unit coordinates university-wide compliance activities, supports the implementation of legal obligations, manages stakeholder communications, and promotes awareness regarding personal data protection. Through publicly available policies, directives, clarification texts, and procedural documents, the university provides transparent information on personal data processing activities, legal responsibilities, data subject rights, and institutional data protection practices.

The university publicly identifies itself as the Data Controller and provides official communication channels for students, staff, visitors, researchers, and other stakeholders regarding personal data protection matters. In addition, Karadeniz Technical University has established formal procedures for responding to applications submitted by data subjects, enabling individuals to exercise their rights related to access, correction, deletion, restriction, and other legally recognized data protection requests. Compliance activities are further supported through alignment with the national Data Controllers Registry Information System (VERBİS), which strengthens institutional accountability and transparency.

Karadeniz Technical University places particular emphasis on the protection of special categories of personal data, including health data and other sensitive information processed within academic, administrative, healthcare, and research-related activities. Rectorate-approved directives, institutional procedures, and guidance documents define responsibilities, administrative measures, and technical safeguards to ensure the secure processing and protection of such data throughout the university.

Beyond policy implementation, the university actively promotes data protection awareness through training programs, seminars, workshops, and communication activities addressing personal data protection, health data privacy, data processing inventories, institutional responsibilities under KVKK, and the legal implications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. These activities contribute to building a culture of privacy awareness and strengthening institutional capacity for data protection across all university units.

Overall, Karadeniz Technical University has established a mature and continuously improving personal data protection system that integrates legal compliance, institutional governance, stakeholder rights, transparency, awareness, and accountability. Through its dedicated governance structures, publicly accessible information resources, formal procedures, and ongoing capacity-building activities, the university ensures that personal data protection and privacy principles are effectively implemented, regularly monitored, continuously enhanced, and transparently communicated to all stakeholders.