According to a report, Germany’s Bosch, a technology and engineering company, allegedly assisted Iran in targeting women who were protesting against the compulsory hijab law and participating in anti-government demonstrations.
Activists within Iran managed to breach the security of surveillance cameras in Tehran’s transportation system, which were operated using Bosch software. These cameras were positioned at busy intersections to monitor women who removed their headscarves in public, an act that contradicts Iranian religious law.
Western businesses were allowed to engage in commerce with Iran following the signing of the nuclear deal.
Although Bosch claims that the cameras were designed to support “intelligent tracking” without facial recognition capabilities, activists argue that the Iranian state could potentially deploy additional software for facial image tracking.
The report also highlights instances where women passing through these camera-monitored intersections received text messages from state security, warning them of fines for not adhering to the proper wearing of headscarves.
Activists believe that these cameras have been used by local law enforcement to identify gatherings and facilitate swift intervention to suppress protests.
Germany had initially strengthened its trade relations with Iran after the signing of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which aimed to control Iran’s nuclear program. However, German companies later withdrew from such engagements due to the United States’ withdrawal from the treaty and the threat of sanctions against companies maintaining business with Tehran.
