A massive data leak has revealed detailed information about the surveillance practices of the Iranian regime. According to reports, the leadership in 'Tehran' is increasingly relying on state-of-the-art technologies to identify opposition members and exert social control. An insider, acting as a 'Whistleblower', allegedly provided documents proving the use of 'Gesichtserkennungssoftware' in public spaces.
Analyses of the leaked data suggest that the system is particularly used to monitor the so-called 'Hidschab-Gesetze'. Cameras in public squares and traffic could therefore capture 'biometrische' features to identify women who violated the state's mandatory headscarf rule. According to reports, affected individuals sometimes received automated notifications via SMS shortly after the alleged violations.
Furthermore, the technology is used to record participants in government-critical demonstrations. The software is capable of locating individuals even in large crowds and matching them with state databases. This serves the targeted pursuit of activists and the intimidation of civil society. Experts point out that the regime likely relies on hardware and software from international providers, with connections to Chinese companies like Tiandy being a particular focus of investigations. The use of cameras from European manufacturers has also been discussed in the past, although these companies usually deny direct support for 'biometrische' surveillance.
