FILE PHOTO: A computer engineer checks equipment at an internet service provider in Tehran February 15, 2011. Picture taken February 15, 2011. REUTERS/Caren Firouz/File Photo
NEW YORK (Reuters) -The U.S. Treasury Department on Friday issued guidance expanding the range of internet services available to Iranians despite U.S. sanctions on the country, amid protests around Iran following 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.
