- Iran uses the ‘Nazer’ app, drones, and facial recognition to track hijab violations.
- Women in vehicles, public spaces, and universities are monitored and penalized.
- The UN condemns Iran’s systemic surveillance as a human rights violation.
Iran has expanded its technological surveillance to enforce mandatory hijab laws, using the ‘Nazer’ app to flag vehicles with uncovered women. This app allows citizens and authorities to report violations, triggering warnings and potential vehicle impoundments.
Beyond surveillance, Iran’s proposed Hijab and Chastity law threatened severe penalties, including long prison sentences and hefty fines. Although the law was suspended in December 2024, the government’s enforcement methods continue to escalate.
Surveillance and Suppression: Iran’s Tech-Driven Hijab Crackdown
Iran’s enforcement of hijab laws has taken a dystopian turn, integrating advanced surveillance methods to monitor women’s attire. The ‘Nazer’ app enables civilians to report women without hijabs in vehicles, triggering immediate warnings and penalties for vehicle owners. This digital enforcement extends beyond individual punishment, embedding social policing into daily life.
Authorities have gone further by deploying drones in major cities like Tehran to track public gatherings and enforce dress codes. Universities have also introduced facial recognition technology at entrances, preventing uncovered women from entering academic institutions. These measures deepen state control over personal choices and movement.
Iran’s broader crackdown on women’s rights follows widespread protests after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini. Despite mass demonstrations and global condemnation, the government has intensified its response, arresting activists and expanding its surveillance infrastructure. The 8,000 confiscated vehicles and reports of violence against women underscore the regime’s rigid stance.
The UN has labeled Iran’s actions as systemic human rights violations, warning of potential crimes against humanity. The growing use of AI-driven surveillance raises concerns over privacy, freedom, and the continued erosion of civil liberties. International organizations continue to push for stronger global interventions against Iran’s oppressive policies.
Iran’s technological enforcement of hijab laws signals a broader shift toward mass surveillance and social control. The continued suppression of women’s freedoms demands global attention and action.
“The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.” – W.E.B. Du Bois
