In a new directive to increase surveillance in public spaces, Iranian officials have mandated that all businesses install police-approved security cameras. According to the state-run Entekhab, the regime’s Chamber of Guilds spokesperson, Mehdi Omidvar, announced on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, that “all businesses must now install cameras that meet the standards approved by police authorities.” The cameras will be linked to a centralized system, allowing police access to recorded footage.
Omidvar stated that the new surveillance system, known as “Septam,” has been established to monitor public places and ensure quality control over the security systems used in commercial establishments. “The purpose of this system is to allow police to review footage in case of an ‘incident or crime’ and take necessary action,” Omidvar said. However, the regime’s vague definition of ‘crime’ has sparked significant concerns, with many fearing that the real aim of this surveillance is not just to monitor theft or security incidents, but to crack down on growing anti-regime sentiment and dissent.
Furthermore, since the 2022 uprising, many women in Iran have publicly defied mandatory hijab laws, particularly in cafes, restaurants, and shopping centers. Some have been arrested and prosecuted for sharing images of themselves without a hijab in public places. The regime has been increasingly using city surveillance cameras to enforce hijab regulations and fine those in violation.
Omidvar justified the move, stating that many “low-quality and non-guaranteed” cameras have failed to help the police track crimes like theft. To address this, businesses are now required to install cameras that comply with police-approved standards. The Chamber of Guilds has also connected 39 industries and around 280 related business sectors, including jewelers and restaurants, to the Septam system via the National Licensing Portal, Omidvar added.
According to IRNA, the regime has denied allegations that any particular brand or company would be favored in supplying the cameras, stating that all businesses are free to choose equipment as long as it meets police standards. However, some worry that this move will place a financial burden on small businesses, with installation and inspection fees running into the millions of tomans, adding to their existing economic pressures.
