The Quarterly Journal of Judicial Law Views

The Quarterly Journal of Judicial Law Views

Analysis of the Legal Challenges posed by Digital Platforms within the Iranian Legal System: The Clash between Traditional Laws and the Platform Economy

Document Type : p

Authors
1 Assistant Professor, Department of ICT Regulation and Organization Studies, Institute of Communications and Information Technology, Tehran, Iran
2 Master of Arts in International Trade Law, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Digital platforms, with features such as multi-sidedness, utilization of user data, and application of intelligent tools, have assumed a pivotal role in Iran's economy and society. However, challenges stemming from legal gaps, regulatory ambiguities, and the unique characteristics of cyberspace have posed difficulties for the legal system.

This study examines the legal dimensions and analyzes the challenges of digital platforms' activities in Iran through a descriptive-analytical methodology using library resources. It investigates legal gaps related to platforms by analyzing the conflict between traditional laws and platform economics in Iran, and evaluates the impact of platform economy characteristics on the legal system.

The findings reveal that Iran's legal system faces disorder and arbitrary practices in areas such as licensing. Traditional competition law criteria are incompatible with platforms' scalability and network effects. Furthermore, data protection regulations are inadequate compared to international standards, and determining platforms' criminal liability for illegal content requires specialized legislation.

Consequently, the study identifies the following priorities for Iran's legal system: revising traditional laws, developing platform-specific regulations, strengthening effective regulatory oversight, localizing international standards such as GDPR, and reforming filtering policies. Additionally, it proposes the development and enhancement of platforms' self-regulatory mechanisms alongside government supervision as an effective solution to reduce legal gaps.
Keywords

Subjects


Volume 31, Issue 113
Winter 2026
Pages 215-239

  • Receive Date 20 July 2025
  • Revise Date 31 December 2025
  • Accept Date 16 December 2025