🇬🇧 Iraqi Human Rights Observatory Warns Against Unauthorised WhatsApp Monitoring

The Iraqi Human Rights Observatory has warned of reports suggesting that security authorities may be considering monitoring the WhatsApp accounts of Iraqi citizens without obtaining judicial warrants.

The Observatory said any surveillance conducted outside judicial oversight would conflict with the Iraqi Constitution and the country’s international obligations, stressing that access to private messages and data should require specific judicial authorization.

It called on Iraq’s judiciary and government to ensure that communications are not monitored outside the law, while urging parliament to accelerate legislation on personal data protection. The Observatory also advised citizens to strengthen their account security by enabling two-step verification and avoiding suspicious links.