GitHub supports internet freedom and global availability in Iran

Developers have a powerful role in promoting freedom of expression and transparency, and we are proud to provide a platform where people can responsibly share information and develop tools for privacy, security, and access. Sweeping internet blackouts in Iran are a stark reminder that access to the open internet is essential to defending human rights. GitHub recognizes and supports the millions of Iranians uniting together to demand justice for Mahsa Amini. We applaud the bravery of the Iranian people, especially women, who are putting themselves at risk in pursuit of freedom.

We commend the US Treasury announcement of an expanded Iran General License D-2 to support internet freedom in Iran. We are proud to have made GitHub fully available for developers in Iran since 2021, through working with the Office of Foreign Assets Controls to secure a license. The General License expansion is a welcome step forward that will open the door for other platforms to extend their services to support Iranians.

We believe that all developers should be free to use GitHub, no matter where they are. We’ve worked to keep as much of GitHub available to as many developers as possible under government sanctions and have explained how access to code collaboration advances human progress, international communication, and the enduring policy of promoting free speech and the free flow of information.

We remain committed to doing everything we can to keep Iranians connected to the global developer community. At GitHub, we believe that protecting human rights and internet freedom is a collective effort that everyone can work to support.

Written by

Shelley McKinley

@shellsmck