Voice of America
24 Sep 2022, 05:05 GMT+10
The U.S. Treasury Department said Friday that it was updating guidance to U.S. tech firms to expand the range of internet services available to Iranians, countering a move by Iran's government this week to block internet access to its citizens.
On Wednesday, as street protests continued in Iran, the Iranian government cut off internet access for most of its 83 million citizens, the Treasury Department said, to prevent the world from watching its violent crackdown on peaceful protesters.
People took to the streets this week to demonstrate following the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who died after being taken into custody by the morality police for improperly wearing her headscarf. Iran security forces have responded by violently cracking down on the protests, leading to at least nine deaths so far. According to The Associated Press, Iranian state TV suggested the death toll could be as high as 26.
In a statement, Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said the changes issued Friday through the department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) will call on U.S.-based tech companies to provide more digital services to people in Iran - from access to cloud computing services to better tools - to enhance their online security and privacy.
Adeyemo said, "With these changes, we are helping the Iranian people be better equipped to counter the government's efforts to surveil and censor them. In the coming weeks, OFAC will continue issuing guidance to support the administration's commitment to promoting the free flow of information, which the Iranian regime has consistently denied to its people."
In his own statement Friday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the steps taken by the Treasury Department would help ensure "the Iranian people are not kept isolated and in the dark."
"This is a concrete step to provide meaningful support to Iranians demanding that their basic rights be respected," he said.
The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
Get a daily dose of Russia Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Russia Herald.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - Economic data indicating jobs growth could be slowing saw equity markets regain some composure Wednesday ...
CANBERRA, Australia: Defense Minister Richard Marles told Nine Network television on September 29 that after a crash in July that ...
AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands: This week, Dutch competition regulator, the ACM, rejected an appeal by Apple against fines worth €50 million. ...
TOKYO, Japan: Tokyo-based startup Tsubame Industries has developed a four-wheeled robot that resembles the "Mobile Suit Gundam" from the popular ...
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - According to The News, the federal government is considering selling its stake in the Reko Diq project ...
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - U.S. stocks tumbled on Tuesday as interest rates on 10 and 30-year Treasury yields approached ...
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - According to The News, the U.S. has stated that it has no connections to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf ...
STRASBOURG, France: The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, has voiced the legislative body's support for appointing a United ...
STOCKHOLM, Sweden: Swedish lithium-ion battery producer Northvolt announced this week that it would build a $5.2 billion gigafactory in the ...
Russia said Wednesday its air defenses destroyed 31 Ukrainian drones that were part of attempted attacks on Russian territory overnight.The ...
DUBAI, 4th October, 2023 (WAM) - In the presence of more than 1000 industry leaders and changemakers from across 30 ...
DUBAI, 4th October, 2023 (WAM) -- Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, met with Martina ...