Iran has intensified its enforcement of mandatory hijab laws by leveraging advanced surveillance technology. A key tool in this effort is the “Nazer” app, a government-backed mobile application that allows citizens to report women who are not wearing a hijab. Alongside this, Iran is using drones, facial recognition, and traffic cameras to monitor and penalize those who defy the strict dress code. This increasing reliance on digital surveillance raises serious concerns about human rights violations and personal freedoms.
The ‘Nazer’ App: A Tool for Public Surveillance
The “Nazer” app enables Iranian citizens to report women seen without a hijab in public spaces, including vehicles such as taxis and ambulances. Users can enter specific details such as:
- License plate number of the vehicle
- Location and time of the violation
- Description of the incident
Once a report is submitted, the system flags the vehicle online, and the owner receives a warning via text message. Repeat offenses can result in vehicle impoundment and other legal consequences.
By encouraging citizen-led reporting, Iran has created a digital policing system, increasing social control over women’s daily lives.
Drones and Facial Recognition: Expanding State Surveillance
Beyond the “Nazer” app, Iran has incorporated various AI-driven technologies to monitor and enforce hijab regulations:
- Aerial Drones – Used in Tehran and other major cities to monitor public spaces and track violations.
- Facial Recognition Software – Installed at Amirkabir University in Tehran, allowing authorities to identify and reprimand female students who fail to wear the hijab.
- Traffic Surveillance Cameras – Used on highways and main roads to detect and fine women driving without a hijab.
Iran’s use of artificial intelligence in morality policing raises serious ethical concerns about mass surveillance and privacy violations.
Human Rights Concerns Over Iran’s Digital Hijab Enforcement
Iran’s increasing reliance on technology for hijab enforcement has sparked global human rights concerns. According to UN reports, these tactics contribute to systematic human rights abuses, with women facing severe punishments, including:
- Arrests and detentions for failing to comply with hijab laws
- Physical assault and sexual violence while in custody
- Public harassment and social discrimination
The death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, following her arrest by the morality police, ignited massive protests across Iran. This tragedy highlights the dangers women face when challenging restrictive laws. Despite the heightened surveillance, many Iranian women continue to resist, advocating for freedom of choice.
A Digital Crackdown on Women’s Rights
Iran’s increasing use of AI-driven surveillance, citizen-led reporting, and facial recognition for hijab enforcementrepresents a concerning trend of digital oppression. The “Nazer” app is part of a larger strategy of state-sponsored monitoring, encouraging citizens to police one another.
As international attention remains fixed on these developments, the question arises: Is technology being used to protect society, or to control it?
Iran’s digital enforcement of hijab laws is setting a dangerous precedent for technology-driven policing, with far-reaching implications for privacy, human rights, and freedom of expression.
