Feasibility of maintaining national security through monitoring the Internet and social networks from the perspective International rules and the procedure of governments

Ever since the Internet was created and especially social networks spread, one of the important issues of national security is the monitoring of these networks. Because these networks actually host a vast and growing repository of personal data, that All of which are digital. The fact is that we are witnessing a paradox in the field of social networks, on the one hand, the need for people to have access to free information, on the other hand, the inherent commitment of states to protect the privacy of information and the public interest and national security. This paradox has received a lot of attention in Iran since the introduction of the "Cyberspace Users Rights Protection and Regulation of Key Online Services" bill. So that, some criticize the bill and consider monitoring the Internet and social networks as a violation of human rights rules and impossible. On the other hand, others consider monitoring the Internet and virtual networks as a necessity. Now the question that arises in this article is that according to international rules, can states legislate to monitor the Internet and social networks? In answer to this question, the present article, which has been written with a descriptive-analytical approach and using library resources and valid international documents and judicial procedures, is based on the assumption that, the principles, rules and practice of states, fully emphasize the right of states and the Islamic Republic of Iran in the field of legislation to monitor the Internet and social networks