Iran’s ICT ministry has launched the second phase of the National Information Network (NIN). The system aims to ensure the safety of children online and set up an online identification system. According to the Financial Tribune, the children's online protection system is to create a safe cyber environment and to counter online child exploitation.
The scheme was set up in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Iran Cyber Police, telecoms Minister Mahmoud Vaezi announced at an event. Its pilot phase has already been launched in several schools in Tehran. The system will be launched nationwide in the coming months and will include training classes for students and 'safeguarding children online' courses for parents and teachers.
Under the Online Identification System project, all internet users – mobile or ADSL subscribers – can be identified via their IP address. The ministry’s Online Identification System, officially named Shahkar (masterpiece), monitors the IP address of data senders and recipients. Shahkar aims to create an official link between users' internet identities and their real-life identities; in other words officials could potentially gain access to users' registered national identification numbers just by using their IP addresses. The scheme is meant to facilitate online law enforcement and reduce cybercrime. The officials say the system will not breach the privacy of users.
In addition, minister Vaezi said his ministry will send a directive to all internet service providers indicating that subscribers are to be charged 50 percent less for using the National Information Network compared to the internet.
In a renewed bid to counter the smuggling of mobile phones into Iran, the ICT ministry and the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration in July 2016 called for all mobile phones to be registered with the telecommunications user database. The ministry warned that unregistered phones will become unusable if not registered with the database. The plan is currently in its pilot phase. During the event, Vaezi confirmed that his ministry is in the process of procuring the hardware and software for the cell phone registry, the final phase of which will be implemented by June.
Source: https://www.telecompaper.com/news/iran-moves-forward-with-online-id-system--1182941