TEHRAN, Iran—Iran's state TV says the country has launched its first cyber police unit in the latest attempt by authorities to gain an edge in the digital world.

The Internet has been a key outlet for Iran's political opposition since the disputed presidential election in 2009. Iran also has been trying to boost its web defenses after the Stuxnet computer worm made its way into computers involved with its nuclear program.

The Sunday report quotes Iran's top police chief, Gen. Ismail Ahmadi Moghaddam, as saying the Net has provided opportunities to "others" for spying as well as misuse of both public and private information.

The first cyber cops patrolling the web are in Tehran. Gen. Moghaddam says they will be in all police stations in the country by early 2012.

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