US to expand internet access to help Iranians evade state surveillance

The US Treasury Department on Friday issued guidance expanding the range of internet services available to Iranians despite US sanctions on the country, amid protests around Iran after the death of a 22-year-old woman in custody.

Officials said the move would help Iranians access tools that can be used to circumvent state surveillance and censorship, but would not entirely prevent Tehran from using communications tools to stifle dissent, as it did by cutting off internet access for most citizens on Wednesday.

Adeyemo added that Washington in coming weeks would continue to issue guidance.

The new license includes social media platforms and video conferencing and expands access to cloud-based services used to deliver virtual private networks (VPNs), which provide users with anonymity online, and other anti-surveillance tools, according to a Treasury official who briefed reporters on the license on condition of anonymity.

Musk said on Monday his company would provide Starlink to Iranians, and would ask for a sanctions exception to do so.