Iraqi TikToker arrested for ‘indecent content’ amid social media crackdown

BAGHDAD — Iraqi authorities have arrested a prominent TikToker in Baghdad, accusing her of promoting content deemed indecent under the country’s public decency laws. The influencer, identified as 22-year-old Raghad Muhammad Ghali Jabr Al-Janabi, known online as “Natalie,” was detained in the Al-Adhamiya district.

The arrest was made under Article 403 of the Iraqi Penal Code, which penalizes actions that violate public decency with potential jail time and fines.

Natalie, born in 2002, had gained widespread attention on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where her videos quickly went viral. Her detention is part of a broader campaign by Iraqi authorities targeting social media influencers accused of spreading what is considered “inappropriate content.” This crackdown has seen a significant rise in arrests and legal actions this year, following similar efforts in 2023.

Al-Janabi is not the only influencer targeted in recent months. On August 15, social media personality Ruqayya Rahim, known online as Abbas Al-Rukabi, was arrested in Baghdad under similar charges. On August 3, TikToker Aned Khaled, nicknamed Hassahs, faced an arrest warrant from the Ministry of Interior’s Low Content Committee. On August 1, TikToker Aya Al-Shammari was subject to legal action following a decision by the Karkh Court, which handles publishing and media cases.

The crackdown began intensifying earlier this year. On April 24, an influencer known as Umm Al-Lol received a four-month prison sentence for charges related to indecent content. On February 2, the Karkh Court of Appeal convicted social media user Enas Al-Khalidi under the same article of the Penal Code. More recently, on July 22, the Ministry of Interior’s Low Content Committee announced legal action against influencer Warda Al-Iraqiya, and similar actions were taken on July 7 against Zainab bint Diwaniya.

In February 2024, the Ministry of Interior and the Supreme Judicial Council launched a coordinated campaign to prosecute those accused of disseminating “inadequate content” on social media. This effort led to a wave of arrest warrants and convictions for well-known figures like Hassan Sachma, Um Fahad, Asal Hussam, and Saalousa.

On July 23, the Ministry of Interior ramped up its campaign by launching a public reporting system for citizens to notify authorities about individuals posting “inappropriate content” online. This initiative encourages public participation in identifying those deemed to be violating public decency laws.

The legal basis for these arrests is Article 403 of the Penal Code. The law stipulates that anyone who produces, imports, publishes, or distributes materials violating public decency can face up to two years in prison and fines. The law applies to those involved in the sale, hire, or distribution of such materials in public or private settings.

Human rights organizations have raised concerns over the government’s actions, accusing authorities of using repressive tactics under the guise of regulating “low-quality content.” The Iraqi Human Rights Observatory criticized the lack of clear legal definitions for “low-quality content,” which remains undefined in Iraqi law, leading to arbitrary arrests.

Despite the crackdown, social media use in Iraq continues to grow. The Digital Media Center reported in February 2024 that the number of social media users in Iraq surged to 31.95 million, representing 69.4% of the population. TikTok saw the most significant growth, followed by increases on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.