In Turkey, a “like” on a photo of a person of the opposite sex can officially be considered valid grounds for divorce. This precedent was set by a case in the city of Kayseri, where a woman sought divorce arguing that her husband repeatedly violated marital fidelity by liking photos of other women on social media.
Local courts, as well as the Supreme Court of Appeal, granted her request, concluding that digital actions that violate trust in marriage can be treated as a form of infidelity.
Legal consequences of online behavior
The ruling sets a new standard across Turkey: online likes, comments and flirting can now be considered behavior that damages a marriage. Lawyers warn that it could pave the way for a new wave of divorce cases, as a single click on a screen can become a legal argument.
What the experts say
Experts say the case shows how social media is reshaping the boundaries of personal behavior and trust in modern relationships. Turkey becomes one of the first countries to explicitly recognize "digital infidelity" as a legal ground for divorce.
