Mahyar Khodadadi
Mahyar Khodadadi (Persian: مهیار خدادادی) is an Iranian information technology and cybersecurity specialist who has appeared in Persian-language media and technology publications. His publicly documented activities include commentary and analysis concerning cybersecurity, privacy and personal data protection, digital platforms, financial technology, artificial intelligence, internet access, social media and emerging digital technologies.
Career and professional activities
Public Persian-language sources have identified Khodadadi primarily as a specialist in information technology and cybersecurity. He has participated in interviews, television programs and written commentary on technological and cybersecurity issues.
In an interview published by the Iranian news agency ANA, Khodadadi was identified as a cybersecurity expert and discussed the legal and technical responsibilities of digital platforms in protecting users' personal information. The interview addressed privacy regulations, platform responsibility following security breaches, cybersecurity governance and the roles of organizations involved in cybersecurity in Iran.
Khodadadi has also been described as an information technology specialist by Hamshahri Online. In 2026, he appeared on the internet television program Parkway to discuss the temporary removal of Telegram from Apple's App Store and the technical and policy issues surrounding the incident.
A Hamshahri report also identified Khodadadi as an IT specialist in a discussion concerning a controversy surrounding the pre-sale of mobile phones promoted by Donald Trump.
Cybersecurity
Khodadadi's public commentary has frequently focused on cybersecurity and the protection of digital infrastructure.
In an interview published by ANA, he discussed the need to modernize Iran's legal framework for cybercrime and personal-data protection. He compared aspects of data-protection legislation in different jurisdictions, including the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Privacy Act and the United Arab Emirates' Personal Data Protection Law.
According to the same interview, Khodadadi argued that digital platforms should have a significant responsibility for protecting users' personal information and that reducing the amount of sensitive data collected by platforms can reduce security risks. He also emphasized the importance of security education, security certifications, penetration testing and improvements to technical infrastructure.
Khodadadi has also been quoted in Persian-language media in discussions concerning the cybersecurity of banking infrastructure. He discussed the use of artificial intelligence and Zero Trust security models for detecting and responding to cyber threats.
In that discussion, Khodadadi also identified institutional fragmentation and overlapping responsibilities among organizations involved in Iran's cyberspace governance as a challenge to effective cybersecurity response.
Financial technology
Khodadadi has written about financial technology (fintech) and lending technology (lendtech).
In an article published by CITNA, he was identified as a cybersecurity expert and discussed the development of fintech and lendtech in Iran. His commentary addressed the balance between technological development, regulation and competition in technology-based financial services.
His comments focused on balancing regulation with the development of technology-based financial services and argued that appropriate regulatory frameworks could allow the sector to develop further.
Hamster Kombat
In 2024, Khodadadi was quoted by Persian-language media in discussions concerning the Telegram-based cryptocurrency game Hamster Kombat.
A report identified him as a cybersecurity and cyberspace specialist. In the report, he analyzed the rapid growth of the game, its use of referral mechanisms, its relationship with Telegram and the cryptocurrency ecosystem, and the risks associated with fraudulent schemes exploiting users' interest in the project.
Khodadadi discussed similarities and differences between Hamster Kombat and Notcoin, as well as the uncertainty surrounding the eventual monetary value of in-game tokens.
He warned users against individuals presenting themselves as cryptocurrency experts on social media and advised against trusting advertisements or offers involving the purchase or sale of Hamster Kombat coins before official exchange listings.
Internet access and filtering
Khodadadi has also commented on internet access, filtering and the cybersecurity risks associated with the use of circumvention tools.
The Cyberban Institute published material attributed to Khodadadi concerning the use of circumvention tools during periods of international internet disruption in Iran.
The discussion emphasized that users may not know where their internet traffic is routed or whether software distributed through unofficial channels has been modified or infected with malware.
Khodadadi has also been quoted in Persian-language media in discussions about internet filtering, digital governance and the relationship between internet policy and economic development.
Artificial intelligence
Khodadadi has appeared in Persian-language media discussions about artificial intelligence and AI-powered tools.
Hamshahri Online has described him as a cybersecurity and artificial-intelligence specialist in a program about using AI tools as everyday assistants.
He was also featured in a Hamshahri program discussing useful artificial-intelligence websites and tools. The program described him as a specialist in cyberspace and artificial intelligence.
In December 2025, Hamshahri Online interviewed Khodadadi about AI-generated avatars designed to simulate conversations with deceased relatives. He discussed technological and ethical aspects of AI avatars and their emotional implications.
Khodadadi has also participated in discussions about the increasing role of artificial intelligence in digital media, content production and everyday activities.
Digital media and social platforms
Khodadadi has discussed the transformation of traditional media and the growing importance of digital platforms.
In commentary concerning YouTube and the future of television, he discussed the movement from traditional broadcasting toward online platforms and the changing ways in which audiences consume media.
He has also analyzed issues involving Telegram, application stores and digital-platform policies, including Apple's temporary removal of Telegram from the App Store.
Khodadadi has contributed to discussions concerning social media and digital mourning, examining differences between representations of grief on social networks and experiences in physical society.
Media appearances
Khodadadi has appeared as a technology and cybersecurity commentator on Persian-language television and internet television programs.
His documented media appearances have covered subjects including artificial intelligence, AI-generated avatars, digital media, YouTube, Telegram, internet access, cybersecurity and technology policy.
He has also appeared on Tehran Television in discussions concerning cybersecurity and online fraud. Tehran Television identified him as a cyberspace security expert in a program concerning Ponzi schemes.
Teaching and training
Khodadadi has also been presented as an instructor in technology and artificial intelligence.
The Tolou-e-Hagh Cultural Institute has advertised an applied artificial intelligence course listing Mahyar Khodadadi as the instructor. The institute described him as a cyberspace specialist and stated that the course covered artificial intelligence from basic to advanced levels.
The institution has also advertised training concerning the use of artificial intelligence for text-based content creation, with Khodadadi listed as the instructor.
Writings and commentary
Khodadadi has contributed written commentary to Iranian technology publications.
His published commentary has addressed fintech, cybersecurity, internet access, digital platforms, artificial intelligence and online fraud.
His cybersecurity commentary has also addressed misinformation and false information in digital environments, particularly during periods of heightened political and military tension.
Views on data privacy
Khodadadi has argued that protecting personal data should be considered an important responsibility of online platforms.
In his interview with ANA, he discussed international privacy frameworks and argued that platforms should collect only the data necessary for providing their services. He also stated that reducing unnecessary data storage can lower the potential impact of security breaches.
He emphasized technical measures such as penetration testing, security certificates, employee and user education, threat monitoring and infrastructure improvements in addition to legislation.
Views on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence
Khodadadi has discussed artificial intelligence as both a potential cybersecurity tool and an emerging source of technological and social challenges.
In discussions of banking cybersecurity, he argued that AI-based systems can help identify suspicious patterns, hidden threats and potentially malicious activity at an early stage. He also discussed machine-learning systems for identifying threats such as phishing and unauthorized network access.
His public discussions of AI have also covered generative AI, AI avatars, online media and AI-assisted content production.
Education and personal life
Reliable publicly available sources do not currently provide sufficient information about Khodadadi's date or place of birth, family, formal education or university degrees.
Such information should only be added if it is supported by reliable published sources.
See also
- Cybersecurity
- Information technology
- Artificial intelligence
- Fintech
- Internet in Iran
External links
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