Bosch, a prominent German engineering company, reportedly supplied a significant number of CCTV cameras to Iran, an investigation has claimed.

These cameras are allegedly used by Iranian authorities to monitor women who resist the country's strict Islamic laws, as per accounts from activists within Iran.

These Bosch cameras form a crucial component of an extensive surveillance network within Tehran, which the theocratic regime uses to suppress protests and enforce compliance, as per claims reported by the Telegraph.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/germany-grapples-with-economic-turmoil-amid-energy-crisis-and-industrial-decline-620891">Also read:&nbsp;Germany grapples with economic turmoil amid energy crisis &amp; industrial decline</a>

Within the country, activists have managed to breach the security of these cameras in Tehran's transportation system, accessing and downloading video footage operated on Bosch software.

<h2>Bosch admits to having sold cameras to Iran</h2>

The company acknowledges that it completed sales of approximately 8,000 cameras to Iran during the period from 2016 to 2018. It was the period when Western businesses were allowed to do commerce with Iran following the signing of a treaty aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions.

In 2017, a high-ranking staff member from Bosch was recorded as having travelled to Khatam University in Tehran, where a seminar took place regarding subjects such as facial recognition technologies.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Heavy rainfall ravages North and Western areas of Germany

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These details were documented by German broadcaster ARD, although Bosch maintains the seminar never took place.

<h2>How are the cameras used by Iran?</h2>

Reports from activists indicate that these cameras are strategically positioned at busy intersections to monitor women who remove their headscarves in public, an action deemed a violation of Iranian religious law.

Amnesty International has documented instances where women driving through these intersections receive text messages from state security, warning them of fines for alleged improper wearing of headscarves.

While Bosch maintains that the cameras sold to Iran could support "intelligent tracking",&nbsp;an AI-driven technology enabling users to configure cameras for vehicle or movement tracking, the company denies having equipped the cameras with facial recognition capabilities.&nbsp;

However, it accepts that the Iranian state could potentially deploy software from another company to perform facial image tracking based on the outputs.

Activists claim that local law enforcement employs these cameras to detect the formation of small gatherings, enabling prompt intervention to suppress protests.

<h2>Germany-Iran trade after JCPOA</h2>

Berlin was the first Western capital to boost its business relations with Iran after the signing of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) aimed at controlling Iran's nuclear aspirations.&nbsp;

Sigmar Gabriel, the economy minister at the time, led a delegation of 150 business executives to Iran. However, German companies withdrew their involvement two years later due to the United States' withdrawal from the nuclear treaty and its subsequent threats of sanctions against firms continuing business with Tehran.

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Bosch, a prominent German engineering company, reportedly supplied a significant number of CCTV cameras to Iran, an investigation has claimed. These cameras are allegedly used by Iranian authorities to monitor women who resist the country's strict Islamic laws, as per accounts from activists within Iran.

Bosch, a prominent German engineering company, reportedly supplied a significant number of CCTV cameras to Iran, an investigation has claimed. These cameras are allegedly used by Iranian authorities to monitor women who resist the country's strict Islamic laws, as per accounts from activists within Iran. These Bosch cameras form a crucial component of an extensive surveillance network within Tehran, which the theocratic regime uses to suppress protests and enforce compliance, as per claims reported by the Telegraph. Also read: Germany grapples with economic turmoil amid energy crisis & industrial decline Within the country, activists have managed to breach the security of these cameras in Tehran's transportation system, accessing and downloading video footage operated on Bosch software. Bosch admits to having sold cameras to Iran The company acknowledges that it completed sales of approximately 8,000 cameras to Iran during the period from 2016 to 2018. It was the period when Western businesses were allowed to do commerce with Iran following the signing of a treaty aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear ambitions. In 2017, a high-ranking staff member from Bosch was recorded as having travelled to Khatam University in Tehran, where a seminar took place regarding subjects such as facial recognition technologies. Watch: Heavy rainfall ravages North and Western areas of Germany × These details were documented by German broadcaster ARD, although Bosch maintains the seminar never took place. How are the cameras used by Iran? Reports from activists indicate that these cameras are strategically positioned at busy intersections to monitor women who remove their headscarves in public, an action deemed a violation of Iranian religious law. Amnesty International has documented instances where women driving through these intersections receive text messages from state security, warning them of fines for alleged improper wearing of headscarves. While Bosch maintains that the cameras sold to Iran could support "intelligent tracking", an AI-driven technology enabling users to configure cameras for vehicle or movement tracking, the company denies having equipped the cameras with facial recognition capabilities. However, it accepts that the Iranian state could potentially deploy software from another company to perform facial image tracking based on the outputs. Activists claim that local law enforcement employs these cameras to detect the formation of small gatherings, enabling prompt intervention to suppress protests. Germany-Iran trade after JCPOA Berlin was the first Western capital to boost its business relations with Iran after the signing of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) aimed at controlling Iran's nuclear aspirations. Sigmar Gabriel, the economy minister at the time, led a delegation of 150 business executives to Iran. However, German companies withdrew their involvement two years later due to the United States' withdrawal from the nuclear treaty and its subsequent threats of sanctions against firms continuing business with Tehran. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Germany's Bosch aided Iran's efforts targeting anti-hijab women and protesters: Report

Distraction while driving can lead to loss of life. Smartphones, smoking, eating and listening to music are vital factors in 30 per cent of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-ranks-first-in-the-number-of-road-accident-deaths-who-263453">road crashes</a>, whereas fatigue factors in up to 20 per cent cases, says the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-commission-could-slap-3-billion-euro-fine-on-italy-for-excessive-debt-deputy-pm-salvini-222359">European Commission</a>.

To avoid these accidents, a new safety technology will become compulsory in new European vehicles from the year 2022.

This will include a warning for the driver in the event of "drowsiness and distraction''.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-ranks-first-in-the-number-of-road-accident-deaths-who-263453">India ranks first in the number of road accident deaths: WHO</a>

Several companies are positioning themselves as the leading providers of this technology.

Among these is <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/auto-supplier-bosch-rejects-diesel-allegations-as-wild-and-unfounded-5431">Bosch</a>, the German engineering and technology company announced in December that it has already developed an interior monitoring system that is capable of detecting drowsy and distracted drivers. 
&nbsp; 
Camera and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/indias-progress-on-artificial-intelligence-route-185592">artificial intelligence</a> (AI) will be used in this technology which will be inbuilt in cars from 2022.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/indias-progress-on-artificial-intelligence-route-185592">India’s progress on Artificial Intelligence route</a>

<img alt="Driver monitoring system" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9a4ff114-8b94-4305-8b02-6cf7bece45b2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-01-29T181434.109.jpg" /> 
(Image courtesy: Bosch)

It will be able to detect when the driver's eyelids are drooping or when they distracted.&nbsp;The frequency of the opening and the closing of the eyelids is monitored.

For this purpose, an algorithm using recordings of actual driving situations will be used.

The drivers will be alerted by the system and suggested to take a break if they are tired or will be asked to reduce the speed to avoid accidents.

The form of the alert will depend upon the wishes of the automakers who will alter it according to their consumers'&nbsp;taste and preference.

Distraction while driving can lead to loss of life. Smartphones, smoking, eating and listening to music are vital factors in 30 per cent of the road crashes, whereas fatigue factors in up to 20 per cent cases, says the European Commission.

Distraction while driving can lead to loss of life. Smartphones, smoking, eating and listening to music are vital factors in 30 per cent of the road crashes, whereas fatigue factors in up to 20 per cent cases, says the European Commission. To avoid these accidents, a new safety technology will become compulsory in new European vehicles from the year 2022. This will include a warning for the driver in the event of "drowsiness and distraction''. Also read: India ranks first in the number of road accident deaths: WHO Several companies are positioning themselves as the leading providers of this technology. Among these is Bosch, the German engineering and technology company announced in December that it has already developed an interior monitoring system that is capable of detecting drowsy and distracted drivers. Camera and artificial intelligence (AI) will be used in this technology which will be inbuilt in cars from 2022. Also read: India’s progress on Artificial Intelligence route (Image courtesy: Bosch) It will be able to detect when the driver's eyelids are drooping or when they distracted. The frequency of the opening and the closing of the eyelids is monitored. For this purpose, an algorithm using recordings of actual driving situations will be used. The drivers will be alerted by the system and suggested to take a break if they are tired or will be asked to reduce the speed to avoid accidents. The form of the alert will depend upon the wishes of the automakers who will alter it according to their consumers' taste and preference.

Soon, cars to have inbuilt system to keep drowsy drivers alert and awake

India's domestic passenger vehicle sales in July dived at the steepest pace in nearly two decades, an auto industry body said on Tuesday, as a financing crunch deepened a crisis in the country's autos sector and triggered large-scale job losses.

Sales of passenger vehicles to car dealers plunged 30.9% to 200,790 in July, the ninth straight month of declines, data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) showed.

The drop in sales is the worst since December 2000, when the industry sold a fifth of the vehicles it sells currently.

The crisis in the autos sector presents a major problem for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, just as he begins his second term in office, as the sector accounts for nearly half of India's manufacturing output.&nbsp;

The auto industry employs over 35 million people directly and indirectly.

"If this industry goes down, then everything gets hurt. Manufacturing, jobs and revenue to the government," Vishnu Mathur, director general, SIAM, told reporters on Tuesday, adding that car and motorcycle manufacturers have already slashed about 15,000 jobs.

The pace of decline has accelerated in recent months, as a liquidity crunch in India's shadow banking sector has dried up lines of credit to both auto dealers and potential car buyers.

Reuters reported last week that companies in the sector - which includes manufacturers, auto parts makers and dealerships - have so far cut as many as 350,000 jobs.

The Indian unit of German auto parts maker Bosch Ltd told Indian exchanges on Tuesday it would restructure its operations and adjust workforce in the light of a sector slowdown.

India's jobless rate climbed to 7.51% in July from 5.66% a year earlier, according to private data group CMIE.

The latest auto sales figures imply that India's GDP growth that has already slid to a near five-year low, is likely to show signs of further erosion for April-June when fresh data will be released later this month.

The downturn - regarded by industry executives as the worst ever suffered by the Indian auto industry - has already sent the S&amp;P BSE auto sector index tumbling more than 23% this year, while shares of the country's top carmaker Maruti Suzuki have slumped more than 20% since the beginning of 2019.

The domestic autos industry asked for tax breaks and easier access to finance for dealers and buyers at a meet with Indian government officials last week.

"The data shows an urgent need for a revival package from the government. The industry is doing everything possible to increase sales, but it needs government support to prevent the crisis from worsening," Mathur told reporters in New Delhi.

Motorcycle and scooters sales fell 16.8% to about 1.51 million units, while passenger car sales dived 36% to 122,956 units, the data showed.&nbsp;

Commercial vehicles sales plunged 25.7% to 56,866 units, SIAM said.

The data also showed that domestic passenger vehicle production was down nearly 17% in the month.

"We are hopeful of a revival package soon," Mathur said.

India's domestic passenger vehicle sales in July dived at the steepest pace in nearly two decades, an auto industry body said on Tuesday, as a financing crunch deepened a crisis in the country's autos sector and triggered large-scale job losses.

India's domestic passenger vehicle sales in July dived at the steepest pace in nearly two decades, an auto industry body said on Tuesday, as a financing crunch deepened a crisis in the country's autos sector and triggered large-scale job losses. Sales of passenger vehicles to car dealers plunged 30.9% to 200,790 in July, the ninth straight month of declines, data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) showed. The drop in sales is the worst since December 2000, when the industry sold a fifth of the vehicles it sells currently. The crisis in the autos sector presents a major problem for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, just as he begins his second term in office, as the sector accounts for nearly half of India's manufacturing output. The auto industry employs over 35 million people directly and indirectly. "If this industry goes down, then everything gets hurt. Manufacturing, jobs and revenue to the government," Vishnu Mathur, director general, SIAM, told reporters on Tuesday, adding that car and motorcycle manufacturers have already slashed about 15,000 jobs. The pace of decline has accelerated in recent months, as a liquidity crunch in India's shadow banking sector has dried up lines of credit to both auto dealers and potential car buyers. Reuters reported last week that companies in the sector - which includes manufacturers, auto parts makers and dealerships - have so far cut as many as 350,000 jobs. The Indian unit of German auto parts maker Bosch Ltd told Indian exchanges on Tuesday it would restructure its operations and adjust workforce in the light of a sector slowdown. India's jobless rate climbed to 7.51% in July from 5.66% a year earlier, according to private data group CMIE. The latest auto sales figures imply that India's GDP growth that has already slid to a near five-year low, is likely to show signs of further erosion for April-June when fresh data will be released later this month. The downturn - regarded by industry executives as the worst ever suffered by the Indian auto industry - has already sent the S&P BSE auto sector index tumbling more than 23% this year, while shares of the country's top carmaker Maruti Suzuki have slumped more than 20% since the beginning of 2019. The domestic autos industry asked for tax breaks and easier access to finance for dealers and buyers at a meet with Indian government officials last week. "The data shows an urgent need for a revival package from the government. The industry is doing everything possible to increase sales, but it needs government support to prevent the crisis from worsening," Mathur told reporters in New Delhi. Motorcycle and scooters sales fell 16.8% to about 1.51 million units, while passenger car sales dived 36% to 122,956 units, the data showed. Commercial vehicles sales plunged 25.7% to 56,866 units, SIAM said. The data also showed that domestic passenger vehicle production was down nearly 17% in the month. "We are hopeful of a revival package soon," Mathur said.

India's passenger vehicle sales drop at steepest pace in nearly two decades

Auto supplier Robert Bosch GmbH said claims it was a knowing participant in Volkswagen&#39;s decade-long scheme to evade US anti-pollution laws were &quot;wild and unfounded.&quot; 
 
In a filing in US District Court in San Francisco late on Monday, Bosch responded to attorneys who are suing Volkswagen AG on behalf of US owners of the polluting VW diesel vehicles, who had said Bosch was a &quot;knowing and active participant in the scheme&quot;&quot;. 
 
Bosch makes an engine control unit used by several top automakers including VW. It supplied software and components to VW but has said responsibility for how software is used to regulate exhaust emissions or fuel consumption lies with carmakers. 
 
The plaintiffs&#39; attorneys said Bosch had worked with Volkswagen to develop a so-called cheat device to circumvent US emissions tests and trick regulators. 
 
The Bosch filing said an initial review of the plaintiffs&#39; documents &quot;indicates that the plaintiffs have made wild and unfounded allegations&quot; that in some cases are based on speculation. 
 
Most of the allegations involving Bosch remain under seal because the documents have been designated as confidential by Volkswagen. 
 
Bosch said it did not oppose making public most of the allegations under seal, except to keep the names and job titles of Bosch employees confidential, citing strict German privacy laws. Bosch said the plaintiffs&#39; complaint cites 38 Bosch employees - in addition to its chief executive, Volkmar Denner, who is a named defendant. 
 
Bosch said the allegations are supposedly based on documents turned over by Volkswagen &quot;but in many cases based only on speculation, and oftentimes directly contradicted by the terms of the documents cited.&quot; 
 
Bosch has not been charged with any wrongdoing. German prosecutors said in December that they were investigating whether staff at the Stuttgart-based company were involved in the rigging of emissions tests by VW. 
 
The engine control system for VW&#39;s clean diesel engine was customized through years of close collaboration between the carmaker and Bosch, plaintiffs&#39; lawyers said. 
 
Denner said in January he had ordered an internal investigation and was cooperating with authorities. In April, Bosch said it had set aside 650 million euros for potential legal costs, including for a continuing investigation into the company&#39;s role in Volkswagen&#39;s diesel emissions manipulation scandal. 
 
In November the United States federal prosecutors were investigating whether Bosch knew or participated in VW&#39;s efforts to cheat on US diesel emissions tests. 
 
In June, Deputy US Attorney General Sally Yates said the VW investigation is looking at &quot;multiple companies and multiple individuals.&quot; 
 
Reuters reported last week Volkswagen has held preliminary talks with the US Justice Department to settle a criminal investigation of the emissions cheating case. 
 
(AFP)

The plaintiffs' attorneys said Bosch had worked with Volkswagen to develop a so-called cheat device to circumvent US emissions tests

Auto supplier Robert Bosch GmbH said claims it was a knowing participant in Volkswagen's decade-long scheme to evade US anti-pollution laws were "wild and unfounded." In a filing in US District Court in San Francisco late on Monday, Bosch responded to attorneys who are suing Volkswagen AG on behalf of US owners of the polluting VW diesel vehicles, who had said Bosch was a "knowing and active participant in the scheme"". Bosch makes an engine control unit used by several top automakers including VW. It supplied software and components to VW but has said responsibility for how software is used to regulate exhaust emissions or fuel consumption lies with carmakers. The plaintiffs' attorneys said Bosch had worked with Volkswagen to develop a so-called cheat device to circumvent US emissions tests and trick regulators. The Bosch filing said an initial review of the plaintiffs' documents "indicates that the plaintiffs have made wild and unfounded allegations" that in some cases are based on speculation. Most of the allegations involving Bosch remain under seal because the documents have been designated as confidential by Volkswagen. Bosch said it did not oppose making public most of the allegations under seal, except to keep the names and job titles of Bosch employees confidential, citing strict German privacy laws. Bosch said the plaintiffs' complaint cites 38 Bosch employees - in addition to its chief executive, Volkmar Denner, who is a named defendant. Bosch said the allegations are supposedly based on documents turned over by Volkswagen "but in many cases based only on speculation, and oftentimes directly contradicted by the terms of the documents cited." Bosch has not been charged with any wrongdoing. German prosecutors said in December that they were investigating whether staff at the Stuttgart-based company were involved in the rigging of emissions tests by VW. The engine control system for VW's clean diesel engine was customized through years of close collaboration between the carmaker and Bosch, plaintiffs' lawyers said. Denner said in January he had ordered an internal investigation and was cooperating with authorities. In April, Bosch said it had set aside 650 million euros for potential legal costs, including for a continuing investigation into the company's role in Volkswagen's diesel emissions manipulation scandal. In November the United States federal prosecutors were investigating whether Bosch knew or participated in VW's efforts to cheat on US diesel emissions tests. In June, Deputy US Attorney General Sally Yates said the VW investigation is looking at "multiple companies and multiple individuals." Reuters reported last week Volkswagen has held preliminary talks with the US Justice Department to settle a criminal investigation of the emissions cheating case. (AFP)

Auto supplier Bosch rejects diesel allegations as 'wild and unfounded'