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Hi John -
It’s been more than one month since the Biden administration took a key step for internet freedom by issuing General License D-2 (GLD-2) to ensure that tech companies are allowed to provide critical online communications tools and services to the people of Iran.
Unfortunately, major tech companies are not taking advantage of this important license. They are doing the bare minimum, which is far from enough.
Firms like Google, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft have still not made a major shift to restore services for Iranians. Google made one VPN available, but that is nowhere near enough - all these companies should make all their products available to Iranians, and find ways Iranians can access them for free given there are few legal, non-sanctioned financial channels to pay for these services.
Sign our letter calling on tech companies to support internet freedom
The Iranian people already have to navigate the Iranian government imposing internet “curfews” by shutting off public access to the internet, in addition to the government jailing internet freedom activists and blocking social media platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp.
The Biden administration has encouraged these firms to restore services for Iranians, but many continue to argue that the scope of sanctions exemptions is too narrow, or that they might not be able to get paid. The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now. Sign our petition to Google, Amazon, Microsoft and other tech firms telling them to get with the program and reconnect Iranians NOW.
TAKE ACTION
You can also amplify our message on Twitter.
SHARE ON TWITTER
In solidarity,
Donna Farvard
National Organizing Director, NIAC Action
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