Watch social media reactions: Likes can be evidence in Turkish divorces

Photo: Thesun.co.uk, photo editor: Dastan Shanay

Social media users in Turkey should now pay more attention to the posts they like. The country’s Court of Cassation held that likes placed on photos posted by members of the opposite sex could be viewed as a betrayal of confidence in the marriage and become an official ground for divorce.

According to Habertürk, a couple from Kayseri filed counter divorce claims. The wife stated that her spouse withheld money, humiliated her, and regularly liked photos of other women. In turn, the husband blamed his wife for excessive jealousy and insults.

The family court found the man guilty and awarded the wife alimony along with compensation, emphasizing the likes on social media, which were presented as evidence. As a result, the woman will receive 500 Turkish lira in temporary support (roughly $12), 750 lira ($18) in alimony and 80,000 lira ($1,884) in material and moral compensation.

The husband attempted to challenge the decision, but the court of appeal upheld the findings of the court of first instance, emphasizing that liking photos of other women could indeed be considered behavior that undermines trust.

The Court of Cassation put an end to the matter by upholding the decision and establishing it as a precedent of sorts. Lawyers in Turkey are now discussing how this ruling will affect future divorce proceedings.