Electronic signature

An electronic signature is defined in Turkish Electronic Signature Law No. 5070 art. 3/b as: 'electronic data attached to or logically associated with other electronic data, used for the purpose of identity authentication.' This broad definition covers everything from a name typed at the end of an email to a signature drawn on a screen with a finger.

For legal weight, 'secure electronic signature' is a separate, narrower category defined in Law 5070 art. 4: a signature created at the moment of signing, under the sole control of the signer, based on a qualified certificate issued by an Electronic Certificate Service Provider (ESHS) authorized by Turkey's Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK), with subsequent tampering detectable. Turkish licensed ESHSs include E-Tugra, TÜRKTRUST, and TürkKep.

A secure electronic signature produces the full legal consequences of a handwritten signature (Law 5070 art. 5). A standard electronic signature does not invalidate the contract — the contract is binding between the parties — but it does not constitute 'conclusive deed' under HMK art. 205; evidentiary weight is left to the judge's discretion.

Akitle's web-based signature flow falls under 'standard electronic signature'; it is not a 'secure electronic signature'. Akitle contracts are binding between parties and constitute a document under HMK art. 199 and 'beginning of written evidence' under art. 202. Details in Terms of Service § 7.