An Izmir-based food creator received a formal warning from Turkey's Advertising Board after posting a Midjourney v7 image of a "minimalist Italian cafe" as if it were a real venue, paired with an affiliate link. The incident reignited debate over how AI-generated visuals should be disclosed in restaurant marketing.
The 2025/342 Ruling
In September 2025 the Advertising Board issued Decision 2025/342, classifying AI-generated visuals presented as real locations, products, or services as "misleading commercial practice." The ruling derives authority from Article 61 of Consumer Protection Law No. 6502.
The implication for social media influencers is clear: sharing an AI-rendered cafe image with copy like "you must try this place's chai" plus an affiliate link is now explicitly prohibited. Promotions without AI disclosure can trigger administrative fines and account-level enforcement.
Disclosure Standards
By 2026 the creator community has settled on three required labels for AI imagery: a legible "Made with AI" overlay on the image, the model name (Midjourney v7, DALL-E 4, Stable Diffusion XL) in the caption, and an #AIImage hashtag alongside #Ad or #Sponsored when affiliate links appear.
- Corner watermark "AI" at minimum 24px
- Alt text including model name and prompt summary
- Visual differentiation that prevents confusion with real photographs
Risk Management for Restaurants
The biggest trap for cafe and restaurant owners is commissioning AI renders of an "idealized" version of their own venue and posting them as if they were photos. The expectation-reality gap damages reputation and, increasingly, creates legal exposure when guests arrive and feel deceived.
Safer path: use AI imagery internally for mood boards or remodel proposals, and rely on professional photography for external channels. If AI visuals must appear publicly, transparency is non-negotiable.
FAQ
How big are the fines? Turkey's Advertising Board applies administrative fines starting at 50,000 TL per violation in 2026, tripling for repeat offenses. Comparable rules now apply in the EU under the AI Act transparency clauses.
Are all AI visuals banned? No. Clearly stylized, AI-labeled images (illustrations, abstract compositions) are permitted when the AI origin is disclosed. The prohibition targets claims of reality, not the medium itself.
Can I combine AI images with affiliate links? Yes, but double-disclose: #Ad and #AIImage together. Layered transparency minimizes regulatory and reputational risk.
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