Skip to main content

Iranian official criticizes Instagram for 'immorality'

The remarks by the head of the Islamic Development Organization follow last month's arrest of a popular Instagram star.
The Instagram logo and binary cyber codes are seen in this illustration taken November 26, 2019. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration - RC20JD9467G4

A top Iranian official lashed out against Instagram this week, saying the popular social media network for photos is responsible for “immorality.”

The head of the Islamic Development Organization, Mohammad Qomi, said in the Iranian parliament Sunday that Instagram often takes up 60% to 70% of Iran’s internet bandwidth. He also claimed that 30% of cybercrime and 25% of “immorality” crimes and gambling take place on the phone application, according to the US government-funded Radio Farda news outlet. The Islamic Development Organization is responsible for promoting the ideas of the Islamic revolution that brought the current Iranian system into being.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.