Treasury Issues New General License to Boost Internet-Based Communication, Free Flow of Information in Iran, Sudan and Cuba

The Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) amended the Iranian Transactions Regulations, Sudanese Sanctions Regulations, and Cuban Assets Control Regulations to ensure that individuals in these countries can exercise their universal right to free speech and information to the greatest extent possible.

The amendments add general licenses authorizing the exportation of certain personal Internet-based communications services - such as instant messaging, chat and email, and social networking - to Iran, Sudan and Cuba. The amendments also permit the exportation of related software to Iran and Sudan. The new general licenses authorize exports from the United States or by U.S. persons to persons in Iran and Sudan of services and software related to the exchange of personal communications over the Internet, including web browsing, blogging, email, instant messaging, and chat; social networking; and photo and movie sharing. Today's amendments also provide that specific licenses may be issued on a case-by-case basis for the exportation of services and software used to share information over the Internet that not covered by the general licenses.