Iran Expands Digital Surveillance to Enforce Hijab Laws, UN Report Finds

The Iranian government is utilizing drones, facial recognition, and a citizen-reporting app to monitor and penalize women violating mandatory hijab regulations, according to a UN investigation.

Iran's 'Nazer' app allows citizens and police to report women not adhering to hijab laws, flagging vehicles and sending warnings to their owners.
Facial recognition technology has been installed at Tehran's Amirkabir University and surveillance drones deployed in public spaces for hijab enforcement.
The UN report accuses Iran of systemic human rights violations, including crimes against humanity, in its crackdown on women and dissent since the 2022 protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death.
The proposed 'Hijab and Chastity' law, though currently suspended, threatens severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for non-compliance with hijab mandates.
Iran's increased reliance on technology amplifies state control, extending repression to digital spaces and targeting activists, both domestically and abroad.