Ministry of Communications and Information Technology
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology plays a significant role in human rights abuses through its control over internet access and censorship. During the November 2019 protests, a near-total internet shutdown was implemented and used to suppress information about the violent crackdown by security forces. The Ministry oversees the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) which implements strict internet censorship and surveillance measures and technologies, such as, the spyware SIAM that can track, decrypt messages and block internet access on smartphones.12
Sources:
- https://www.article19.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/TTN-report-2020.pdf;
- https://www.techmonitor.ai/technology/cybersecurity/iran-protests-spyware-mobile-phone-tracking