In recent weeks, a disturbing pattern has emerged in Iran’s digital space. Users have reported seeing strange and politically charged ads on their phones and computers. What once showed games, shopping deals, or entertainment now features anti-Iran messages, alarming videos, and even invitations to “cooperate” or respond to anonymous messages.
Suspicious Ads Target Iranian Users, Businesses Raise Alarm
Ads promoting liberal values to younger audiences, or feminist messages to women, based on their prior interests are getting promoted in Iran.
Iran maintains strict control over domestic media. State television and official outlets are used to shape public opinion, control the narrative on international affairs, and suppress dissent. In response, external actors—often with geopolitical interests—use digital advertising systems to insert alternate narratives directly onto the screens of Iranian citizens.
These ads bypass censorship and subtly influence public opinion without the need for overt confrontation. The detailed report was first published by News Interpretation Media. The ads focus on domestic failures—such as inflation, blackouts, food shortages, and healthcare issues—while placing the blame on government mismanagement.
These ads appeared across various apps and websites using Google’s ad services. This unexpected shift has led to growing concern among everyday users, as well as business owners. Several Iranian companies say they are losing control over the types of ads shown to their audiences. They describe it as an “invasion of the domestic digital space,” where outside influence is taking over what should be a neutral platform.
The worry isn’t just about bad content. Experts believe that a bigger strategy might be driving this sudden flood of suspicious ads. This strategy aims to influence people’s minds or collect their private information without their consent.
What Is Digital Espionage and How It Works Today
Digital espionage means secretly collecting information from people and also organizations through digital tools. This doesn’t require someone to hack into your computer. It happens silently, using the personal data that devices and apps already gather. This type of spying can be used to watch, influence, or manipulate people—sometimes without them even noticing.
In simple terms, digital espionage is spying through the internet. And advertising is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to do it. While businesses use online ads to sell their products, bad actors can use the same system to push messages, study user behavior, or create confusion and fear.
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In the case of Iran, the change in ad content seems more than just a technical error. Many analysts believe it may be a new kind of information warfare where ads are used as a weapon, not a marketing tool. This is especially troubling because the targeting system behind these ads is extremely powerful and precise.
Google Ads does not need you to be logged in to track your behavior. It uses your device’s Advertising ID, GPS location, browsing history, and also the app usage to know what you like, where you are, and what you’re likely to respond to. All of this data makes it easy to send you highly personalized ads—whether they are trying to sell a product or push a political idea.
Ads as Tools in Modern Hybrid Warfare
Nations and groups now fight today’s conflicts with more than just guns and missiles. They also use digital tools to wage battles on screens. These battles involve spreading ideas and controlling information. Experts call this method hybrid warfare. It mixes traditional warfare with digital tactics like fake news, cyberattacks, and psychological operations.
Digital ads are now a part of this strategy. In the wrong hands, they can:
- Change the way people think.
- Target specific regions or communities.
- Collect valuable data for intelligence use.
Experts in digital security and media now warn that bad actors are exploiting advertising systems for purposes far beyond commercial use. In politically sensitive regions like Iran, this poses a serious danger. These actors may carefully plan ads to cause division, unrest, or even panic.
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What makes this form of attack so tricky is that it doesn’t feel like an attack. It comes quietly, in the form of a video ad or banner, using tools built for marketing but now serving darker goals.
Digital espionage is not science fiction—it’s a real and growing part of modern warfare. What started as tools for selling shoes or phone apps are now being used to study behaviors, spread propaganda, and influence nations from afar. The incident in Iran is just one visible example of a much deeper problem, where digital platforms become silent battlefields.