The Treasury department in the U.S has revealed that sanctions on preventing web services to be offered in Sudan, Cuba, and Iran are to be lowered, allowing web companies to extend their services abroad. Previously concerned that violations could be broken if software was made available, U.S technology firms will now be able to offer services including email, blogging and social networking to a wider range of individuals within those countries outlined.
As Iranian users of social networking sites highlighted the services uses after they managed to organise protests last year, a spokesperson from the Treasury explained that the move was to “ensure that individuals in these countries can exercise their universal right to free speech and information to the greatest extent possible.” Neal Wolin, deputy secretary added “As recent events in Iran have shown, personal internet-based communications like e-mail, instant messaging and social networking are powerful tools.”
The way is now clear for firms to export web based services to the three nations, in addition to communications software exportation to both Sudan and Iran. Meanwhile, the commerce department governs Cuba, not allowing the Treasury to make sufficient steps to allow free exportation. And whilst, especially in Cuba, the move shouldn’t make a large difference due to the countries small web usage, it may be down to the Iranian and Sudanese governments to decide whether to follow America’s lead and let the sanctions fall.
