40 Users Arrested for Producing 'Hidden Camera' Content on Social Media

The Cyber Police (Police Fata) announced that it has arrested 40 users for producing entertaining hidden camera content under the guise of 'enhancing psychological security in cyberspace' and has blocked their pages. While interviews with these users aired on the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) claim that individuals participated in the hidden camera productions with prior knowledge and consent, the Cyber Police has labeled it as 'harassment and undermining the psychological security of the people.' In a segment of the television program, Davood Moazami Goudarzi, the head of the Cyber Police in Tehran, stated that these individuals, through challenging and hidden camera productions, allegedly created disturbances for citizens and, in some cases, led to street confrontations. He added that following these investigations, more than 40 individuals were identified and summoned to the police after legal proceedings. Additionally, the users' accounts, which the Cyber Police claims had 'over five million' followers in total, have been 'blocked.' The claim of five million followers comes at a time when the Islamic Republic is attempting to control and limit citizens' free access to the internet, as well as blocking popular user accounts under various accusations. The head of the Cyber Police reminded users of police control in cyberspace and threatened that legal action against those who jeopardize the peace and psychological security of citizens will continue vigorously. Previously, Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, called for 'control of cyberspace' despite ongoing restrictions on internet use that have made Iran one of the most restrictive countries for internet access in the world. Khamenei's remarks came at a time when the Iranian government has imposed significant restrictions on citizens' internet use. The government has filtered popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube, but Iranian users typically access these platforms using VPNs. Meanwhile, according to the digital rights group Access Now, Iran ranked third in the world for internet outages last year. Three lawyers have filed complaints against the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, claiming that citizens' rights have been violated by filtering. The debate over filtering continues, with a government official stating it is ineffective and a 'waste of money.' Iran remains one of the most restrictive countries for internet access globally, with Khamenei calling for 'control of cyberspace.'