June 25, 2009

Technology Company NSN Aids Iran's Repressive Regime?

Nokia Siemens Network (NSN), a joint venture of Nokia of Finland, and Siemens of Germany, designed and built a telecommunications system for Iran that allows monitoring and interception of communications of Iranians. There are conflicting messages from the company on whether the technology allows for the monitoring of data communications supported by social networking services. NSN's code of conduct commits the company to upholding "freedom from arbitrary detention; execution or torture; freedom of peaceful assembly and association; freedom of thought, conscience and religion; and freedom of opinion and expression." However, NSN sales material on the technology sold to Iran claims that it can be used to monitor and intercept "all types of voice and data communication on all networks."

Technology, Business, & Democratic Rights in Iran, Jason MacLean & Chip Pitts, CRS Law Blog