Hakki Can Yildiz focuses his practice on data privacy, data regulatory, cybersecurity, digital markets regulations, artificial intelligence, and technology matters.

He assists a wide range of clients on complex data privacy issues including in relation to online marketing, cybersecurity, data breach and incident response, e-discovery, and cross-border data transfer mechanisms. His role includes advising clients on data privacy issues in a transactional context including in M&A, outsourcing, services and licensing arrangements, and supply, distribution, and franchising arrangements. 

In addition to his data privacy practice, he assists clients on digital market and data regulations, including the Digital Markets Act, the Data Act, the (proposed) European Health Data Space, the (proposed) Cyber Resilience Act, and the Electronic Communications Code.

His practice also involves developing data governance strategies in relation to artificial intelligence, connected devices, marketing, and data analytics. He has significant experience advising clients in investigations and litigation in connection with technology and digital regulations, privacy, and antitrust issues.

Hakki joined Cleary in 2022. Before joining the firm in 2022, he was a senior associate at an international law firm’s London office for five years. Preceding this role, he practiced law in Turkey for over a decade and served as the head of the TMT and Antitrust practices at an international law firm’s Istanbul office from 2013 to 2017.

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Notable Experience

Notable Experience

  • Planisware in its initial public offering comprising an offering of shares by existing shareholders and a listing on Euronext Paris.

  • Edenred in its £1.15 billion acquisition of Reward Gateway.

  • Infinite Electronics, a Warburg Pincus portfolio company, in its acquisition of Cable Connectivity Group B.V. (CCG) from Torqx Capital Partners and TKH Group N.V., and in its acquisition of Regatta Topco Limited (Bulgin) from Equistone Partners Europe and certain management sellers.

  • International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) in the $900 million sale of its global savory solutions business unit to PAI Partners (PAI).

  • The initial purchasers in GE’s $8.25 billion bond offering.

  • A U.S. healthcare company in relation to a data incident that has affected individuals in a number of EU jurisdictions.

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Publications

Co-author, “Data Act FAQs – Key Takeaways for Manufacturers and Data Holders,” Cleary Cybersecurity and Privacy Watch blog, February 2025.

Co-author, “French data protection authority launches new public consultation on the development of AI systems,” Cleary AI and Technology Insights blog, July 2024 

Co-author, “Comparing Global Privacy Regimes Under GDPR, DPDPA and US Data Protection Laws,” Cleary Cybersecurity and Privacy Watch blog, January 2024. 

Co-author, “The UK ICO launches consultation series on GenAI,” Cleary Cybersecurity and Privacy Watch blog, January 2024.

Co-author, “Saudi Arabia’s Data Protection Law and Regulations Come into Effect,” Cleary Cybersecurity and Privacy Watch blog, January 2024.

Co-author, “Key Takeaways from the Irish Data Protection Commissioner’s Decision on Meta Data Transfers,” Cleary Cybersecurity and Privacy Watch blog, August 2023.

Co-author, “EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework,” Cleary Cybersecurity and Privacy Watch blog, August 2023.

Co-author, “The UK Government Publishes the New Data Protection Bill,” Cleary Cybersecurity and Privacy Watch blog, March 2023.

Co-author, “Key Takeaways from the EDPBs Cookie Banner Taskforce Report,” Cleary Cybersecurity and Privacy Watch blog, February 2023. 

Co-author, “The United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea Finalize Data Sharing Agreement,” Cleary Cybersecurity and Privacy Watch blog, December 2022. 

Co-author, “President Biden Signs Executive Order on New EU-US Data Privacy Framework,” Cleary Cybersecurity and Privacy Watch blog, October 2022.

Co-author, “New Law Allows Cross-Border Data Transfer in Electronic Communications,” Bloomberg BNA World Data Protection Report, April 2015.

Co-author, “Telecommunication Laws in Europe,” Turkey Chapter, Bloomsbury Professional, 2013.

Author, “Recent Developments in Rights of Way and Facility Sharing Legislation,” Bloomberg BNA World Regulation Report, 2013.

Events

“Survey of Data Localisation Laws: Overview and Solutions for Global Compliance,” IAPP European Data Protection Intensive, London, April 2016.

“On the Outskirts of Europe: Privacy in the Surging Economies of Turkey and Israel,” IAPP European Data Protection Intensive, London, April 2015.

“Abuse of Dominance, Advising In-House Counsel,” Wolters Kluwer, Global Competition Law Forum, Istanbul, Turkey, 2015.