Hacettepe University made it mandatory for its students to fill out a form to attend online exams. Hacettepe University Law Students Group considers the form to be a breach of the students’ rights and published a manifesto titled #WeDoNotConfirm, explaining why the form is against the law and conflicts with the principle of equality.

Students also stress that the university is not providing the students with equal opportunities and accommodating the diverse needs of students. The manifesto suggests that the mandatory form goes against the Law for the Protection of Personal Data (KVKK):

“It is not possible for the university administration to entrust the students’ data to members of the teaching staff according to KBKK’s Article 3. All universities with similar practices should clarify the assignment of responsibility with regards to student’s data.”

The students also claim that clear consent can not be guaranteed when filling out these forms:  “In the exams conducted through online platforms, the students are told that their biometric data, meaning visual and sound recordings, will be recorded, and that the reluctance of students to have their data recorded will be reflected in their evaluation; therefore it is not possible to suggest ‘free will’ in the submitting of the forms. It can not be considered ‘clear consent’ if the students are not given any alternative or if the alternatives are purely hypothetical, such consent has no validity.”.

The hashtag #WeDoNotConfirm (#Onaylamıyoruz) was used by over a thousand tweets and entered the Trend Topic list on Twitter Turkey. Law students have also made a short animation of their manifesto.