{"id":5007,"date":"2024-10-07T20:19:26","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T20:19:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filter.watch\/english\/?p=5007"},"modified":"2024-10-09T19:28:14","modified_gmt":"2024-10-09T19:28:14","slug":"irans-hijab-application-nazer-aims-to-state-expand-surveillance-and-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filter.watch\/english\/2024\/10\/07\/irans-hijab-application-nazer-aims-to-state-expand-surveillance-and-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Iran\u2019s Nazer App Aims to Expand State Surveillance and Control"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over the past year, Iran has been rapidly advancing towards becoming a hyper-surveillance state<\/a>. The government has implemented various policies and systems designed for extensive monitoring and control of its citizens. This includes attempts to develop facial recognition<\/a> systems, e-governance services<\/a>, localized internet infrastructure, and integrate<\/a> user data across different sectors. These efforts have been undertaken without any legal framework to protect citizens' data, leaving the door open to widespread surveillance and serious privacy violations.<\/p>\n

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The Nazer app represents a new dimension of the growing state surveillance system. Developed by the Naji Research and Development Company (NRDC)<\/a> for Iran's Law Enforcement Forces (NAJA), Nazer is a reporting tool aimed at allowing police and specially designated private citizens to report women to law enforcement for not complying with Iran\u2019s compulsory hijab rules. The latest version of Nazer has expanded to allow reporting on a range of behaviors deemed immoral, such as eating during Ramadan, as well as undefined notions of \u201cbehavior against public morality.\u201d Moreover, the new Nazer seeks to identify protest participants and suppress freedom of peaceful assembly.<\/p>\n

In effect, Nazer is a powerful surveillance tool with extensive capabilities for monitoring and controlling citizens, particularly targeting women in Iran. It seeks to punish a wide range of personal behaviors, as well as expressions of civil political dissent, thereby violating internationally protected rights of people in Iran.<\/p>\n

The Nazer application, unavailable on public app stores, is distributed through specific channels such as the police website<\/a> and Iranian messaging platforms like Eitaa<\/a>. This restricted distribution highlights its targeted use. Nazer operates its Application Programming Interface (API)<\/a> primarily through the National Information Network (NIN)<\/a>, meaning that it functions on Iran\u2019s state-controlled internet. This setup enables the government to isolate the app's usage and closely monitor its impact on the population.<\/p>\n

Beyond Hijab to Wide-Ranging Public Behavior<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Initially, the Nazer app was designed<\/a> to allow government officials and approved volunteers to report individuals violating compulsory hijab rules while in vehicles. The user would simply select options in the app outlining the type of violation, location, date, time, and enter a license plate number. The app could automatically send warnings and citations through SMS messaging, but law enforcement could also charge individuals with various offenses under Iranian law, subjecting them to criminal trials and punishments, including fines, imprisonment, and lashings.<\/p>\n

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Filterwatch\u2019s most recent analysis reveals that the app\u2019s monitoring capabilities have expanded significantly. It now includes a range of so-called morality offenses, including alcohol consumption, eating during Ramadan, cruising in cars, and the vague \u201cbehavior against public morality.\u201d<\/p>\n

Over the past year, the enforcement of hijab-related laws in Iran has led to the seizure of a significant number of vehicles. According to various reports, thousands of cars have been impounded due to violations of hijab laws inside vehicles. In June 2024 alone, over 8,000 cars were released<\/a> from impound as part of amnesty programs, but many others continue to be seized as part of ongoing enforcement efforts.<\/p>\n

The process<\/a> typically begins with a warning message sent to the car owner after the first violation. If the offense is repeated, the vehicle is subjected to either electronic suspension, on-site immobilization, or full impoundment in a police lot. The costs of releasing impounded<\/a> vehicles vary depending on several factors, including the parking location and tow truck fees. According to published reports, these costs can potentially impose over several thousand dollars (tens of millions of \u064fomans) on vehicle owners<\/p>\n

Offenses found on updated version of the Nazer app include:<\/p>\n