Iran is increasingly deploying advanced surveillance technology, including drones, facial recognition, and a government-backed mobile application, to enforce its mandatory hijab laws, a United Nations report revealed on Friday.
According to CNN, which cited the UN findings, Iranian authorities have significantly expanded their use of digital tools to monitor and penalise women who fail to comply with the country’s strict dress code. The report underscores growing concerns over Iran’s reliance on artificial intelligence and mass surveillance to suppress dissent, particularly targeting women and girls.
Technology-driven enforcement
A key component of Iran’s surveillance strategy is the Nazer mobile application, which allows both police and civilians to report women who violate hijab regulations. Users of the app can submit a vehicle’s licence plate number, along with details of the location and time of the alleged offence. The system then flags the vehicle in an online database, alerting the police and automatically sending a warning message to the registered owner.
The notification states that repeated violations could result in the vehicle being impounded. Investigators found that authorities have expanded the app’s reach by integrating it with the FARAJA website, a law enforcement portal.
In September 2024, its coverage was further extended to include women travelling in ambulances, taxis, and public transport, effectively tightening the government’s control over public spaces, CNN reported.
Drones and facial recognition
Beyond mobile applications, Iran has ramped up its surveillance infrastructure by deploying aerial drones in Tehran and southern regions to monitor hijab compliance. Additionally, surveillance cameras equipped with facial recognition technology were installed at the entrance of Amirkabir University in early 2024, allowing authorities to track female students who fail to adhere to dress code regulations.
These measures mark a significant shift towards automated enforcement, reducing the need for direct human intervention while increasing state oversight of women’s behaviour in public spaces.
Proposed ‘hijab and chastity’ law raises alarms
Although Iran’s proposed Hijab and Chastity law was suspended in December 2024 following internal debate, the UN report warns that the legislation remains a serious threat. If enacted, it would introduce severe penalties, including prison sentences of up to 10 years and fines reaching USD 12,000 for non-compliance.
The proposed law would also expand the authority of security forces to enforce hijab regulations, while significantly increasing the use of surveillance technology.
Of particular concern is the potential application of Article 286 of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code, which categorises acts of “corruption on earth” as punishable by death. The UN report notes that under this provision, women who repeatedly defy hijab laws could face capital punishment.
Crackdown on dissent and growing protests
The UN report emerges against the backdrop of ongoing protests against Iran’s hijab laws and broader political and social grievances. Demonstrations erupted in 2022 following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died while in the custody of Iran’s morality police.
Her death triggered nationwide protests, with women burning their hijabs and cutting their hair in defiance of the regime’s restrictions. The UN estimates that hundreds of people were killed in the subsequent government crackdown, with thousands more arrested.
While the protests have subsided in scale, resistance to Iran’s strict dress code remains strong, particularly among younger generations who increasingly view the hijab laws as oppressive and outdated.
International condemnation and calls for action
The UN report has drawn swift condemnation from human rights organisations, with activists urging the international community to take action against Iran’s systematic repression of women.
“Iran’s use of AI-driven surveillance to police women’s clothing is deeply disturbing. These measures violate fundamental rights to privacy, free expression, and personal autonomy,” said Tara Sepehri Far, a researcher at Human Rights Watch.
Western governments have also criticised Iran’s enforcement tactics, with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy stating:
“Iran’s continued crackdown on women’s rights using advanced technology is an appalling violation of human dignity. We urge the Iranian government to respect fundamental freedoms and cease its oppressive policies immediately.”
The future of hijab enforcement in Iran
Despite international pressure, Iran’s leadership has shown no signs of loosening its grip on hijab enforcement. The government insists that the hijab is a fundamental part of the country’s Islamic identity and has framed its surveillance measures as necessary for maintaining social order.
As technology continues to evolve, Iran’s ability to monitor and control public behaviour is expected to become even more sophisticated. While activists and opposition groups remain determined to resist, the growing use of AI and surveillance tools presents new challenges for those fighting for women’s rights in the country.
The UN report serves as a stark reminder of the Iranian government’s increasing reliance on digital repression, raising urgent questions about privacy, human rights, and the future of personal freedoms in the Islamic Republic.
