US adjusts sanctions to help Iranians evade online surveillance, censorship

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

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

“As courageous Iranians take to the streets to protest the death of Mahsa Amini, the United States is redoubling its support for the free flow of information to the Iranian people,” Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally 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.”