Parliament’s Proposed Law Makes User Verification a Legal Obligation for Online Platforms

A group of Iranian parliament members has introduced a bill titled 'Law for Supporting and Handling Violations in the Domain of Comprehensive Audio and Visual in Cyberspace.' The proposal aims to establish regulatory duties, structures, incentives, and penalties for media activities, platforms, VOD services, and audio-visual productions online.

The bill was signed by 49 representatives, including Hamid Rasaei, Reza Taghipour Anvari, Mehdi Kouchakzadeh, and Morteza Agha-Tehrani. It has been submitted to the parliament's presiding board for review.

Responsibility Division for Regulation

Article 2 of the bill specifies regulatory responsibilities for comprehensive audio and visual content. It assigns oversight of news agencies, print media, and advertisements to the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Oversight for user-based media, publisher-based VOD services, home viewing, audio-visual advertisements, and series is assigned to the IRIB.

Article 11 permits the regulator to order the suspension or removal of offending content within 48 hours before official proceedings. Ignoring such orders constitutes a separate violation, granting the regulator authority to directly remove the content.

Supported Content Axes

The plan outlines incentives and support for specific content categories in Article 7. These include:

• Promoting Islamic-Iranian values and culture
• Highlighting family-centered values
• Supporting environmental protection and energy conservation
• Creating content for individuals with disabilities
• Preserving Persian language, literature, and national symbols
• Promoting modesty, hijab, and the Iranian-Islamic model for women
• Encouraging hope-inspiring narratives
• Boosting Iranian production and investment
• Showcasing historical and contemporary figures
• Enhancing media literacy and artificial intelligence
• Supporting mosque-centered activities
• Addressing physical and mental health risks.

Incentives and Support

Article 8 proposes financial, technical, and legal support for platforms aligned with these goals. Incentives include:

• Free access to revolutionary-aligned content for media outlets
• Discounts on advertisements and technical infrastructure services
• Tax exemptions and reduced cultural utility tariffs
• Access to Innovation and Prosperity Fund resources
• Facilitating content distribution on domestic platforms.

Violations Subject to Prosecution

Article 9 outlines violations subject to prosecution under the proposed law:

• Operating media without licenses
• Broadcasting live content without authorization
• Publishing advertisements contrary to regulations
• Producing films or series without approval
• Failing to verify user identities
• Ignoring regulator directives
• Profiting from gambling or pyramid schemes
• Violating user rights or withholding necessary technical and economic information from regulators.

The bill introduces two boards to handle violations:

1. Preliminary Board (seven members), including experts in law, media, religion, technology, industry representatives, a chairman, and a secretary appointed by the regulator.
2. High Board (five members) composed of representatives from the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, Cultural Revolution Council, Attorney General's Office, Parliament's Cultural Commission, and the regulatory body.
   These boards will review violations, issue administrative rulings, and execute decisions.

Administrative Penalties and Restrictions

The boards can impose penalties ranging from minor corrective actions to severe restrictions based on violations. Possible measures include:

1. Obtaining commitments to prevent future violations.
2. Modifying or deleting offending content.
3. Compensating victims.
4. Revoking legal supports for up to two years.
5. Mandating specific content publication.
6. Banning advertising for up to three months.
7. Restricting new publications temporarily.
8. Limiting access by region or age group.
9. Curtailing services such as online news training.
10. Reducing bandwidth or internet speed temporarily.
11. Seizing unlawful proceeds and imposing heavy fines.
12. Fining up to five percent of annual gross revenue.
13. Temporarily suspending media licenses.
14. Revoking licenses entirely.