Amidst a brutal government crackdown on dissent, Iran is reportedly utilising a domestic messaging application linked to a UK-based company to bolster its internet censorship efforts. The app, Gap Messenger, has come under scrutiny for allegedly sharing user data with Iranian authorities, raising serious concerns about privacy and freedom of expression for millions of Iranians.
The Anjidani Brothers: A Profile in Controversy
Hadi and Mahdi Anjidani, the co-founders of TS Information Technology, have established a presence in the UK as the operators of Gap Messenger. Their company, registered in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, is affiliated with the Iranian software firm Towse’e Saman Information Technology (TSIT). While Gap Messenger touts itself as a secure alternative to Telegram, digital rights advocates assert that it plays a crucial role in the Iranian government’s strategy to control information and monitor dissent.
The Anjidani brothers have openly expressed pro-regime sentiments, with Mahdi Anjidani frequently appearing in Iranian media to advocate for stringent censorship measures. His remarks during a state television broadcast indicate a close alignment with the government’s objectives, including the promotion of domestic platforms that facilitate surveillance.
Internet Censorship and the Role of Domestic Apps
The Iranian government has implemented an extensive internet shutdown as part of its response to escalating anti-government protests, effectively isolating its citizens from global communications. This strategy is designed to allow the regime to maintain control while suppressing dissent, with domestic applications like Gap Messenger serving as instruments of state surveillance.
According to experts from FilterWatch, a group monitoring Iran’s online censorship, Gap Messenger is integral to the government’s efforts to manage and manipulate the flow of information. By promoting local messaging platforms, the regime can easily oversee conversations and gather user data, as these apps lack the robust privacy protections found in their international counterparts.
Gap Messenger has amassed over one million downloads on Google Play and an additional four million on Cafe Bazaar, an Iranian app store. Despite its growing popularity, the app’s encryption claims have been called into question, with reports suggesting that it may have shared user information with Iranian authorities, further complicating its reputation.
The Broader Implications of Domestic Internet Control
The establishment of a domestic internet infrastructure in Iran has been a deliberate move by the government to create a controlled environment for its citizens. This parallel internet system, developed over the last decade, now connects approximately 93 million people, who find themselves largely cut off from the broader digital world. The Iranian government’s focus on domestic messaging apps, such as Gap, is not about fostering innovation but rather about tightening its grip on surveillance and curtailing independent expression.
The Anjidani brothers’ ventures extend beyond Gap Messenger, with links to various other platforms, including a social network and financial services that facilitate transactions despite ongoing international sanctions. Their operations underscore the privileges afforded to a select few within Iran’s tech sector, drawing parallels to oligarchic structures in other authoritarian regimes.
Why it Matters
The implications of this situation are profound. As the Iranian government continues to stifle dissent through rigorous internet control and surveillance, the availability of domestic apps like Gap Messenger that collude with authorities raises critical questions about digital privacy and human rights. With the regime’s capacity to monitor and suppress free expression growing stronger, the international community must remain vigilant and responsive to the challenges faced by those striving for freedom and transparency in Iran. The fate of millions hangs in the balance as the struggle for a free and open internet continues amidst increasing repression.
