Iranian consumers are hitting back strong at those companies which they perceive have helped the ruling regime. It may be remembered that Iran had recently witnessed violent protests by a section of the citizens who felt that the renomination of the ruling was not under a free and fair environment and there were allegations of rigging.

Consumers believe that Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) has supplied communication systems to the Iranian regime enabling it to intercept voice calls as well as text messages. Dissidents fear that such communication systems can be used by the ruling regime to identify and then get back to the dissidents.

Such consumers also believe that Nokia handsets in the country support such interception and hence are shunning away the use of Nokia handsets. Handset retailers have said that the sales are down by almost 50%.

For Nokia and NSN the scenario is of helplessness as even though it is obvious that the company may have not sided with the ruling regime, it is difficult to openly come out and proclaim innocence. The anguish within the Iranian consumers is boiling at the moment. Iranians are reported to have withdrawn money and savings from state banks and deposited in private banks. Advertisers are also refraining from advertising on state-run media due to fear of backlash by the consumers.

For the moment, Nokia and NSN can only resort to wait and watch the situation.