In the past few years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has slowly been transitioning to a more authoritarian regime as it takes heavier steps in order to monitor and control its citizens through their personal mobile phones. According to a new investigation by Citizen Lab, a research group at the University of Toronto, Iran has been using sophisticated mobile spying software to track the activities of its citizens, including the ability to intercept communications, perform remote access operations, and even remotely turn on the camera and microphone of the user’s device.
It’s not uncommon for security policies to be enforced in oppressive regimes, however, the level of intrusion Iran has taken when it comes to monitoring and controlling its citizens goes far beyond any typical security measure. By using mobile spying software, the Iranian government is able to gain access to user data and communications without the awareness or consent of the user.
Citizen Lab researchers found that multiple application stores and Androids phones in Iran are pre-loaded with surveillance software, most of which can track the location of the user, intercept internet traffic and even disallow access to certain applications. Some of the software intercepts communication over popular messaging apps such as Telegram, WhatsApp and Viber and also allows for surveillance of specific contacts.
Additionally, Citizen Lab discovered that the Iranian government is able to remotely access the camera and microphone of the device, allowing it to take pictures, videos and audio recordings of the user without their knowledge. The surveillance software can also be used to spread malware and conduct operations from the infected device.
The Iranian government is taking its surveillance powers to a whole new level of invasiveness – targeting individuals, businesses and organizations alike. It is clear that the Iranian government’s Mobile Spying Playbook is not only meant to track and control citizens, but also to create an environment of fear and uncertainty, where people are constantly aware that they are being watched.
The implications of Iran’s mobile spying playbook could be far reaching and devastating, especially to those who are most vulnerable. As the mobile phone industry continues to expand, it is important that people are aware of how their devices can be used to track and monitor their activities. It is also critical that governments and companies take steps to increase user privacy and security, while continuing to monitor and prevent the use of mobile spying software. All individuals should be aware and take precautionary steps to protect their privacy, as in the case of Iran, someone is always watching.
