Turkish Public Opinion on Privacy and Personal Liberties in times of Covid-19 research announced

Turkey Report has released the findings of a research titled "Turkish Public Opinion on Privacy and Personal Liberties in times of Covid-19" on June 17. The study which was conducted through support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation's Turkey branch, was announced through a webinar due to the ongoing coronavirus.

The report reveals the society in Turkey's approach to rights & liberties and specific questions on state's response through restrictions of rights & liberties based on various factors. According to the report's introduction, the methodology reveals that it was formed through a Computer Aided Phone Interview format covering a group of 1.200 people over the age of 18 with 2.5 pp accuracy, with 95% confidence.

PERCEPTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS

When asked what different age groups in Turkey consider as their fundamental rights, primarily free expression, right to a fair trial and ability to elect who shall govern the country stand out. For the age group of 18-24, free expression comes forth as the most salient issue with 73%, while for age groups between 25 and 65 it is right to a fair trial ranging between 60-66%; finally for the senior citizens it is to be able to elect those in power with 64%. When all age groups are asked which of the fundamental freedomes are most significant for them through a value between 1 and 5, Freedom to Travel and Move comes on top with 4.11, followed by Ability of Opposition Parties to Operate Without Obstacles with 4.00, then Freedom of Creating News that Criticizes the Government with 3.87, Freedom of Expression for All with 3.74, Freedom of Citizens of Criticize the Government on Media & Social Media with 3.69, Freedom for Peaceful Assembly and Protest with 3.60, Right to a Fair Trial for All with 3.59.

SUPPORT FOR STATE IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS OVER LIBERTIES

When asked whether the respondents would approve of the state's restrictions on fundamental rights & liberties, 40% agree while approximately 25% disagree as more than one third of the respondents do not have an opinion whether or not liberties should be curtailed in times of emergency. When asked which rights & liberties could be restricted by the government under extraordinary conditions, operations of the civil society and opposition parties top the list with support from 44&, followed by restrictions over protests with 42% and criticism of the govenrment through media & social media with 39%, travel restrictions with 37%. Among the strongest opponents of restrictions of rights & liberties, 51% oppose to restrictions targeting media, 40% oppose declaration of a curfwe and 40% are against restriction of criticism of the government through media & social media.

CONDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR CURFEW

The poll asks respondents when they would support a total curfew, revealing that medical emergencies such as a pandemic tops the list with 77%, being the only one to have majority. 42% would support a total curfew during war time or post-terror attacks, followed by 40% during times of mass protests and 35% would want a curfew if there is suspicion of a terror attack soon while 3% would never support a curfew under any circumstances. The poll also reveals that when education level of respondents increase, the support for curfew application decreases. University graduates and post-graduates have the lowest support for curfew applications.

PERCEPTION OF PRIVACY

The poll also reveals also concerns over privacy in Turkey that have again arisen through the Covid-19 tracking application released by the Ministry of Health under the name "Life Fits in Home" (HES). When asked whether or not they would still download and use an application on a daily basis when the pandemic is over, 46.3% stated that they would do so, while 49.8% declared they would not use such an application. Respondents were also asked if they would agree with the government to track the infected citizens' mobile phones in times of crisis such as a viral pandemic to which a mean of 3.40 out of 5 declared opinion in approval; which had a comparison to the US's 2.95. When respondents were asked whether they would agree with tracking of everyone including those who are not infected yet, the support for surveillance of the state increased to 3.76, while it showed a decreasing trend in the US with 2.45, revealing that healthcare and security press harder compared to concerns over privacy in Turkey.