Hijab Crackdown: Iran Unveils New Technology to Enforce Hijab Laws

The “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests that erupted in 2022 threw the Iranian government into a state of chaos. To restore order and reestablish control, the government rolled out a new set of hijab reforms of unprecedented severity.

The government has implemented the use of drones to track the use of hijab in public places. Additionally, they have developed facial recognition technology to monitor hijab compliance at entrances. For example, this technology is being used at Amirkabir University in Tehran to ensure students are following hijab laws.

A new citizen reporting app called “Nazer” allows civilians and police alike to call out hijab infractions as they see them. The platform is government backed and reports detail the violation to startling accuracy. According to the CNN artice, "Iran is using drones and apps to catch women who aren't wearing hijabs, says UN report", the users can “upload the license plate, location, and time of a vehicle where a woman is not wearing a hijab”. The app sends out an alert to the police and marks the suspected vehicle as “flagged”. Violators are alerted when they have been flagged via text and given a warning. This message also reminds them that their vehicle can be impounded for ignoring warnings.

Furthermore, Iran has drafted a “Hijab and Chastity” law that could be enacted in the near future. The law would promise jail time for up to 10 years and fines up to $12000 USD for women who fail to meet hijab standards (CNN).

As conditions worsen, it is more important than ever to raise awareness for this cause and for Iranian musicians to continue making music, spreading the word to ears around the world.