US Eases Internet Export Rules To Iran, Sudan, Cuba

coondoggie writes "Looking to facilitate what it calls free speech rights in countries that don't look favorably at such liberties, the US government today said it would ease the regulations around exporting Internet-based applications to Iran, Sudan and Cuba. Specifically, the Treasury Department said it would add general licenses (PDF) authorizing the exportation of free, personal, Internet-based communications services – such as instant messaging, chat and email, and social networking – to those three countries. The amendments also allow the exportation of related software to Iran and Sudan, the department said in a release (the US Commerce Department controls software exports with Cuba). Until now all such exports would have broken federal laws."

Comments

There's no one easier to invade

[presidenteloco]

Than a country full of sedentary layabouts twittering to each other like chickadees
about the price of spice
and admiring their own portraits on facebook.

Re:There's no one easier to invade

[Anonymous Coward]

You should have written that as a haiku:

New social warfare
Another nation brought low
By social networks.

Re:privacy?

[girlintraining]

Sounds like a good way to gather intel on the people using this technology in these "friendly" countries.

Yeah, like ours.

Well that settles it

[s122604]

The terrorists have won. Way to send us down the path of dhimmitude O'bama!

Re:Nothing better than trade

[corbettw]

Considering how hot every single Persian chick I've ever met is, I fully support the idea of peaceful, loving relations with Iran, as often as possible.