Iraq has introduced a new digital platform aimed at tackling online extortion and cybercrime, as authorities respond to a sharp rise in technology-enabled abuse. The platform, named “Ameen,” was announced by the National Security Service as a rapid-response system designed to protect victims and accelerate investigations.
Speaking in Baghdad, National Security Service spokesperson Arshad Al-Hakim said Ameen allows victims to confidentially submit complaints within minutes. The system immediately transfers data, images, and other digital evidence to specialized investigative teams, enabling faster action against perpetrators.
The platform supports multiple languages and uses a secure phone-based verification process. It also incorporates safeguards intended to protect victims throughout the investigation process, reflecting growing concerns about privacy and misuse of personal data in cybercrime cases.
The launch follows a three-month nationwide campaign that ended in November, during which Iraqi authorities arrested around 40 individuals accused of online extortion and defamation. Such crimes are prosecuted under Articles 430 to 432 of Iraq’s Penal Code, carrying prison sentences ranging from one to seven years.
Officials have warned that artificial intelligence tools are intensifying digital blackmail, particularly against women, through fabricated videos, voice cloning, and manipulated images. In 2024 alone, Iraq’s Community Police Department recorded more than 13,000 complaints related to digital harassment and online extortion.
