Filterbaan, an organization active in internet access rights in Iran, reports that the regime’s “Nazer” app, initially designed to monitor the enforcement of mandatory hijab, is also being used to track ambulances and identify protesters.
In a report on October 8, Filterbaan pointed out that ambulances are among the vehicles listed for reporting violations, highlighting that enforcing mandatory hijab laws is a priority for the regime, “even during medical emergencies.”
Filterbaan noted that “Nazer” was initially designed to track hijab violations in vehicles, but now it also monitors behaviors like alcohol consumption, breaking fast during Ramadan, and public protests. The report added that the Nazer app is part of the government’s policies to suppress lifestyle choices that don’t align with its laws.
Filterbaan further explained that its research shows the latest version of “Nazer” has been developed to increase surveillance over citizens’ lives, allowing the reporting of vague concepts such as “behaviors contrary to public norms.” Additionally, the new version aims to identify participants in protests and suppress peaceful gatherings.
According to the report, the Nazer app is a powerful surveillance tool with broad capabilities for monitoring and controlling citizens, particularly targeting women. It seeks to criminalize a wide range of lifestyle choices, as well as suppress dissenters, critics, and political activists, thereby violating rights outlined in international human rights documents and even the regime’s own laws.
The new “Nazer” aims to identify protest participants and suppress the freedom of peaceful assembly.
Filterbaan also noted that the Nazer app is not available to the general public in app stores. Instead, it is distributed through specific channels like police websites and Iranian messaging platforms like “Eitaa” to select individuals and regime supporters, indicating its targeted use.
This internet rights organization highlighted the term “unrest” in the updated version of Nazer, stating that the app criminalizes peaceful protests and dissenting voices. It stressed that this approach reflects the regime’s policy of ignoring citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and classifying protests as “disruption of public order.”
According to Filterbaan, the Nazer app was originally designed to allow its users—police forces and approved volunteers like hijab enforcers—to “report individuals violating mandatory hijab laws while driving.”
Now, the app can identify the exact position of passengers inside a vehicle and classify them into three roles: driver, front passenger, and rear passenger, which “makes violation reporting more precise and allows for more accurate punishment of citizens.”
The report states that the new version of “Nazer” includes a comprehensive list of all car models available in Iran.
The Nazer app was designed and produced by the “Naji Research and Development Company” for use by the regime’s law enforcement and security forces.
Earlier, in continued efforts by the Iranian regime to control citizens, Mehdi Omidvar, spokesperson for the Iran Chamber of Guilds, announced on October 2 that based on the orders of the Public Places Supervision Unit of the police, a “Public Places Video Surveillance System” has been established, giving regime law enforcement and intelligence officials the ability to monitor commercial and service units via video.
The bill known as the “Hijab and Chastity” law has been approved by the Guardian Council and sent to the Regime’s Majlis (parliament). In addition to violent enforcement of mandatory hijab for women, this bill calls for broader “gender segregation” in universities, administrative and educational centers, parks, recreational areas, and even in the medical sectors of hospitals.
