For quite some time, EFF has campaigned for changes to the export controls that prevent important communications technologies from reaching activists and dissidents. These export controls—enacted by the Departments of Treasury and Commerce and detailed here—often hurt the very individuals they’re meant to help, by restricting access for citizens while doing little to stop authoritarian regimes from getting ahold of products via third parties or on the black market.

Unfortunately, the government has often been unclear in respect to what exactly is restricted for export, leading companies to exert the utmost caution, which can lead to overreaching restrictions. Just last week, for example, reports emerged of Apple refusing to sell products to speakers of Farsi, citing “company policy”—no doubt an overbroad interpretation of regulations.

On the other hand, Google recently made available to Syrians several of its products: Earth, Chrome, and Picasa—three tools that had been unavailable for download in the country for years. When asked, Google clarified for us that their ability to do so was based on a general license issued last August. Google should be commended for their proactive efforts to ensure communications tools reach the Syrian people.

Given that Google did not require a special license to export those products, we believe that many other companies are in a position to reassess their policies and, if their products could be deemed “incident to the exchange of personal communications” online, take the necessary steps to authorize them for export.

To that end, we have joined with other organizations—including the National Iranian-American Council, the Syrian American Council, and the Tor Project—in urging companies to take several proactive measures:

End the unnecessary blocking of services for the public of sanctioned countries; Apply for export licenses where incidental transactions create potential liability concerns; Disclose which services are restricted based on location or language, and the reasons for doing so; Engage with civil society to identify policies and regulations that create impediments to supporting users under political duress.

The letter, included below, is addressed to several companies, though it should be noted that the list is not exhaustive. We hope that raising the profile of this issue with companies will ultimately result in more individuals gaining access to the tools they need.