Baku, Azerbaijan, Sept. 5
By Khalid Kazimov - Trend:
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed new members to the Supreme Council of Cyberspace (SCC) and outlined its major policies.
Khamenei said in a decree, posted on his official website Sept. 5, that the main duty of the SCC is to carry out macro-management, take necessary and timely decisions, and oversee the area of interest.
He said the previous similar councils were void and handed over those councils' tasks to the new one.
Iranian leader also urged to improve the council's status for it to be able to take necessary decisions and conduct coordination among other government organizations in areas of interest.
Aside from that, he called for a technological improvement of cyberspace in the country and training personnel for areas related to cyberspace.
He also called for providing ample security for cyberspace in the country, developing the Iranian cyberspace in compliance with Islamic norms, and producing content that is in line with the Islamic culture.
On March 7, 2012, Ayatollah Khamenei decreed to establish the SCC.
Under the decree, the SCC is a body responsible for coordinating and implementing cyberspace policy in Iran.
The SCC enjoys significant authority and its decisions are legally-binding.
It has the power to unilaterally dictate policies relating to the Internet, and its actions cannot be obstructed by the Iranian parliament.
The SCC is also able to compel the Commission to Determine the Instances of Criminal Content (CDICC) to pursue particular policies on the Internet censorship, with the body having no choice but to comply with the SCC decisions.