U.S. Eases Sanctions On Web-Based Services
The Treasury Department announced Monday it is amending its trade sanctions to allow for the export of personal Internet based communications services to Cuba, Iran and Sudan. The changes will allow for new general licenses for exports from U.S. firms or U.S. individuals to the three countries for services such as Web browsing, blogging, email, instant messaging and chat, social networking, and photo and movie sharing as well as for related software.
"Consistent with the administration's deep commitment to the universal rights of all the world's citizens, the issuance of these general licenses will make it easier for individuals in Iran, Sudan and Cuba to use the Internet to communicate with each other and with the outside world," Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin said in a statement. "Today's actions will enable Iranian, Sudanese and Cuban citizens to exercise their most basic rights."
At a briefing Monday, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said the move is consistent with the Obama administration's efforts, outlined in a January speech by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to make Internet freedom a diplomatic priority. "It represents precisely our strategy that the secretary outlined in her Internet freedom speech," Crowley said. "We will continue to help people throughout the world with their ability to have a free flow of information and stay in touch with each other."
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Internet Freedom
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