Iran Enforces Hijab Law Using Drones, Apps

A recent United Nations report reveals that Iran is increasingly employing advanced surveillance technologies, including drones, facial recognition systems, and a government-backed mobile app called 'Nazer', to enforce its mandatory hijab laws. The Nazer app allows citizens to report women not wearing hijabs in vehicles, triggering alerts to law enforcement and sending warning messages to vehicle owners about potential penalties. The report highlights that the Iranian authorities have installed facial recognition software in public places, such as at Tehran's Amirkabir University, and are using drones for monitoring compliance in urban areas. Violations of these laws can lead to severe punishments, including imprisonment and fines, with a provision allowing judges to impose the death penalty for severe infractions. This enforcement strategy is seen as a response to the growing defiance against hijab laws following protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. The UN report emphasizes the systematic discrimination faced by women and girls in Iran amid these heightened measures.