Voice of America
24 Sep 2022, 00:35 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 Afghanistan Sun 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 Afghanistan Sun.
More InformationIn the past month alone, 23 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza—three more than the number of remaining living hostages held...
LONDON, U.K.: At least 13 people are believed to have taken their own lives as a result of the U.K.'s Post Office scandal, in which...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...
SLUBICE, Poland: Poland reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania on July 7, following Germany's earlier reintroduction...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: After months of warnings from former federal officials and weather experts, the deadly flash floods that struck the...
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed happiness after the 'Maratha Military Landscapes...
Kabul [Afghanistan], July 11 (ANI): Japan has provided USD 5 million through UNICEF to bolster polio eradication efforts and strengthen...
New Delhi [India], July 11 (ANI): External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Friday offered warm wishes as Mongolia begins the celebrations...
Kabul [Afghanistan], July 11 (ANI): Japanese Ambassador in Kabul, Takayoshi Kuromaya, has called on the Taliban government in Afghanistan...
The video features a blend of dark comedy, views of the Afghan countryside, and military visuals A bizarre promotional video targeting...
(250711) -- HULUN BUIR, July 11, 2025 (Xinhua) -- An aerial drone photo taken on July 10, 2025 shows tourists enjoying boating at a...