The Social Security Institution (SGK) of Turkey is now confirmed to have sold citizens' and patients' private information to a pharmaceutical company owned by a former deputy.
Özgür Özel, deputy of the parliamentary main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) had expressed the claim earlier on a TV programme. Özel had said that the SGK had sold the information for 65.000 Turkish Lira (more than $17.000) to the pharmaceutical company named Datamed, owned by Burhan İsen, deputy of the right-wing Motherland Party (ANAP).
According to the reports the information included, all of the authentication information, contact information, alcohol and smoking habits, pregnancy test results, the date of last menstruation, and even the father’s blood type. The SGK, on the other hand, had denied all claims.
Following the claim, İsen filed a lawsuit for mental anguish against Özel.
The claim for damages was rejected by the Supreme Court. The SGK's annual report of 2013 and the report of the Audit Court on the SGK, provided by Özel, also confirmed the irregularity.
Commenting on the verdict after the court, Özel stated that "it is now registered by the Supreme Court that the private information of citizens and patients was sold to the company of an ex-service deputy."
The issue was regarded by the people as a scandal and a violation of personal rights.
