In complete secrecy, Iranian authorities bought FindFace, a Russian facial recognition software, in 2019, as confirmed by contracts obtained by Forbidden Stories and its partners.
FindFace can identify faces in public spaces in a matter of seconds and run them through databases maintained by the regime's security services.
The Iranian security apparatus is attempting to conceal this acquisition with shell companies.
Several security agencies are involved, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps and the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence.