The Obama Administration
has waived sanctions on
Iran so any individual in Iran may use U.S.-made software from social media and networking websites like Facebook and Twitter.
“This waiver will authorize free downloads to Iran of certain nominally dual-use software (because of low-level encryption elements), classified as mass-market software by the Department of Commerce and essential for the exchange of personal communications and/or sharing of information over the Internet,” the State Department said in a letter to members of Congress.
State Department spokesman Ian C. Kelly said the waiver was approved because some Internet companies would rather cut off services to individuals in sanctioned countries than risk violating U.S. sanctions.
“Encouraging the free flow of information is a high priority for the U.S. government,” Mr. Kelly said.. That is why Undersecretary of State for International Security and Arms Control Ellen Tauscher signed the waiver.
Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian-American Council (NIAC), said the waiver is “an important step toward addressing the negative impact U.S. sanctions have had on ordinary people in Iran who have shown tremendous courage in standing up for their rights.”
He added that Cuba and Sudan will likely also receive these waivers.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has often emphasized how important Twitter and Facebook are for anti-government protests. These sites not only provided information but also helped mobilize protests.
Iran’s post-election protests, according to the Twitter service, was the top twitter topic of 2009.. n
