US eases Cuba, Iran, Sudan sanctions to allow freer web
source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8556341.stm
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The US treasury department has eased sanctions on Iran, Cuba and Sudan to help further the use of web services and support opposition groups.
US technology firms will now be allowed to export online services such as instant messaging and social networks.
Companies had not offered such services for fear of violating sanctions.
Opposition supporters in Iran used social networking sites and services to organise protests after the country's disputed presidential poll last year.
The US Treasury said exports would be allowed of services related to web browsing, blogging, e-mail, instant messaging, chat, social networking and photo- and movie-sharing.
But what i thought was most interesting about this article was this part:
"Last year, software giant Microsoft barred users in five countries, including Iran, Cuba and Sudan, from using instant messaging services. People trying to use the service received an error message."
The article doesn't go on to explain why microsoft felt the need to bar sections of the internet for 5 whole countries!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8556341.stm
US technology firms will now be allowed to export online services such as instant messaging and social networks.
Companies had not offered such services for fear of violating sanctions.
Opposition supporters in Iran used social networking sites and services to organise protests after the country's disputed presidential poll last year.
The US Treasury said exports would be allowed of services related to web browsing, blogging, e-mail, instant messaging, chat, social networking and photo- and movie-sharing.
But what i thought was most interesting about this article was this part:
"Last year, software giant Microsoft barred users in five countries, including Iran, Cuba and Sudan, from using instant messaging services. People trying to use the service received an error message."
The article doesn't go on to explain why microsoft felt the need to bar sections of the internet for 5 whole countries!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/8556341.stm
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UrbanGypsy
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http://current.com/items/92306772_washington-allows-internet-companies-to-operat...
I posted this on the Cuba group the other day. It is an excellent step in allowing information to penetrate into these countries. Instead of hurting everyone, allow internet to enter into these countries. Look at how the internet helped Iranians get access to the outside world.
Although with the intense restrictions in these countries on internet usage, it might not make much of a difference. But what is important is that we not contribute to the already numerous obstacles.
- 1 year ago
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UrbanGypsy
