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Iran implements controversial Internet data retention law

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has implemented a law requiring the country's Internet service providers to retain records of users' incoming and outgoing data for at least three months, according to a Monday report by the state-run PressTV news agency. The government said the law is designed to help catch those who illegally steal others' personal information from the Internet, and that the data would only be monitored under court order or in the interest of national security. Critics argue that the law will enable the government to monitor and censor the internet use of reporters and political dissidents, whose blogging and use of social networking websites have thus far been able to evade press restrictions. Iran has been experiencing political unrest since Ahmadenijad won the country's disputed June 12 election. Earlier this month, Human Rights Watch reported that some arrested protesters were beaten, deprived of sleep and threatened with torture in an effort to force false confessions. Also this month, opposition leaders called for the release of those detained for their alleged involvement in the protests. Human rights groups have viewed the arrests as political repression, saying that Iranian forces are using the protests to "engage in what appears to be a major purge of reform-oriented individuals."

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on July 21, 2009 (boomark / email).