A cookie policy is the information document that explains the cookies and similar technologies used on a website. It describes which cookies serve which purpose, how long they are stored, whether they are first or third party, and how visitors can manage their preferences. It applies the transparency duties of the KVKK and GDPR specifically to cookies.
Because cookies usually process personal data in the form of online identifiers, their use falls under the information and processing rules of the KVKK, and under the GDPR and ePrivacy framework in the EU. The cookie policy is the cookie-specific part of that transparency duty: it complements the general privacy notice but does not replace it. A solid policy lists the cookies active on the site with name, provider, purpose and duration, groups them into categories (necessary, analytics, functional, marketing), names third-party providers and explains how visitors can change their choice or withdraw consent.
The practical route for a site owner: scan the site to build a real cookie inventory, categorise each cookie, write the policy from that inventory and publish it where it is easy to reach, typically in the footer. The inventory changes whenever new tools such as analytics, live chat or ad pixels are added, so the policy needs periodic review. The cookie banner and the policy should link to each other, so a visitor can reach the full document in one click.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cookie policy mandatory?
Sites that use cookies and process personal data through them have a duty to inform visitors, and a cookie policy is the established way to meet it. The KVKK's information rules and the Turkish authority's cookie guidance set a clear expectation here. Even a site using only strictly necessary cookies should explain which cookies it uses and why.
How often should a cookie policy be updated?
There is no fixed legal interval; the test is whether the policy still matches the site's real cookie inventory. Update it whenever you add a new analytics tool, live chat plugin or ad pixel. In practice, a regular site scan (monthly, for example) checks the inventory, and the document is refreshed when differences appear. Showing the last-updated date in the policy is good transparency practice.
This content is for information only and is not legal advice.