With the new Facebook terms of service ready to be passed, many are practically oblivious to the fact that the Facebook Governance vote ever took place but some of them may become aware once Facebook is no longer available to them. One statement in the latest Facebook terms has a few Iranians concerned, that they may no longer be able to use the site, even though Iran is no longer blocking Facebook.
Section 4.3 of the revised terms of service states “You will not use Facebook if you are located in a country embargoed by the U.S., or are on the U.S. Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals.” Currently on the embargoed list is Iran, North Korea, Cuba, among others.
Previously, Iran had banned Facebook back in 2007 and then again in November of 2008 when the country blocked Facebook, YouTube and millions of other sites. Now it appears that Iranians once again have access to Facebook but that may not be the case for much longer. If Facebook plans on enforcing their latest terms of service, Iranians could soon be without the much coveted Facebook.
It’s unknown how many Iranians currently use Facebook but it there is now a small backlash beginning to take place on the Iran public profile (which currently has 14,850 fans). What’s ironic is that the backlash didn’t begin until today, the same day that voting ended. If there was a large Iranian user base, they are now too late for voting down the new changes. Then again they would have needed to rally 60 million users to vote against the changes.
We don’t know if Facebook plans on actively blocking the site, but the latest terms suggest they will. I have reached out to Facebook for comment and am currently waiting on a response. Do you think Facebook should actively block countries?
Update
Facebook has reached out to us with the following statement: “To be incompliance with US law, we need to prohibit commercial activities from embargoed countries. We have allowed, and plan to continue to allow, users to set up accounts from those countries and communicate, as long as they are not engaging in commercial activities on the site.” Facebook also said the short answer is “no” they are not banning Iran.
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Facebook is also saying, "Section 4.3 of the Statement of Rights and Responsibilities appears to be confusing people on this point and we’ll likely propose a revision in the future to make it more clear that we’re not restricting access."
Comment by Barry Schnitt — April 23, 2009 @ 1:15 pm
"Facebook also said the short answer is “no” they are not banning Iran."
it's good! thanks!
Comment by Amin Diari — April 23, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
You know where you can click and say if you like this? "x people like this" well you should in all fairness.. have one that says i dont like this….but since you dont.. i just want to tell you right here: i dont like this
Comment by Surferjoe2020 — April 23, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
This will be an oversight by Facebook and a storm in a teacup within Facebook blogs!
I would say that if they block countries because of politics…I think I would be reviewing my support of Facebook as would many people.
Comment by Mik McManus — April 23, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
Thank you Mik. I say the same thing. I really didn't expect facebook to be involved in politics. We had believed that facebook is for everyone in the world; equally! Without discrimination!
Comment by Kaveh — April 24, 2009 @ 2:20 am
What an Utter nonsense policy! Iranians are already deprived of using free internet by the Mullah’s, it is absolutely unfair.
Comment by ????? ????? ?? — April 24, 2009 @ 3:06 am
Every one is pissing on us,why not face book?
Comment by Ahmad — April 24, 2009 @ 3:41 am
thank you facebook for not blocking me and my country.
Comment by Masoud Mirzamani — April 24, 2009 @ 5:41 am
hi sir i am from Iran i would like to tank you for not blocking Iranian user we are peaceful people and we government against us any way thanks for not blocking Iranian user.God Bless you all.
Comment by Daniyal Pejman — April 24, 2009 @ 6:40 am
We are all happy here in IRAN.
Thanks
Comment by naser farkhideh — April 24, 2009 @ 4:34 pm
Thank you facebook, thanx Mike and every body else who has the same viewpoint…
Comment by H.H — April 24, 2009 @ 4:38 pm
Thanks Nick and mike and every body….
Comment by Nariman Gharib — April 25, 2009 @ 7:38 am
Thanks Facebook :"
Comment by Boreir — April 25, 2009 @ 8:55 am
I am one of the admins for 'Facebook Users Against Section 4.3' group and one of the main organizers of the 'No Facebook Censorship In Iran' cause. I like almost all of the new Facebook laws except for the mentioned section which discriminates against the peace loving people of Iran and other countries on the mentioned embargoed list.
I would like to inform Facebook owners that in less than two months that the government of Iran has lifted censorship of Facebook, more than 150,000 users from inside Iran have signed up for new Facebook accounts. This is amazing!
Most people in their right mind would believe that free exchange of ideas is important to promoting democracy, security, and stability in the world. Therefore I must disagree with any interpretation of the U.S. Treasury Department’s list of Specially Designated Nationals for the purpose of Facebook and other networking environments.
I hope Facebook keeps up its own principles of "Freedom to Share and Connect", "Free Flow of Information", and "One World", and therefore resists any temptation to misinterpret the US sanction laws.
I must inform you that not too long ago, the Iranian American community went through the same ordeal with IEEE that was refusing to publish papers submitted by Nationals of Iran. Eventually IEEE backed down from their decision. We intend to mobilize and oppose any such measures again if we have to.
Cheers,
Rod Sharif
Comment by Facebook User — April 25, 2009 @ 12:03 pm
Thanks Nick and mike
Comment by Aidin Javaherian — April 25, 2009 @ 1:35 pm
hello.I life in iran but my nation is kurdish.I and my nation are in oppression of iran goverment.what is my sin.if you will block facebook in iran,please create a Network for kurdistan.kurdish people life in 4 country.they are 40 milion people.
Comment by masoud — April 25, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
Thanks Facebook and all guys who believes in real democracy. In democratic communities everyone should have the right to represent himself and his ideas.
We all Iranian users are happy now.
Comment by Dr. Ritalin — April 26, 2009 @ 1:14 am
tanks facebook
Comment by hamid reza — April 26, 2009 @ 12:44 pm
I am the site administrator of Users United in Support of Global Accessibility to Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=75954597333
Our group is designed to monitor instances of facebook blocking access to embargoed countries.
Please join our group and feel free to post what facebook means to you and how you use it to network with friends and family where contact is otherwise limited.
Also if you hear of any instances of fb blocks PLEASE inform me. I have worked with two American journalists now to publicize our cause and I can contact them with updates and get the word out.
Cheers,
Suzie McCarthy
Comment by Suzie McCarthy — May 2, 2009 @ 9:07 am
Correction, the link I posted should be http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=83985877000
:-p
The other link is for Facebook Users Against Section 4.3, a group which I also strongly support
Comment by Suzie McCarthy — May 2, 2009 @ 9:14 am
Facebook is now offline and unaccessible from Iran, filtered.
Comment by maria — May 23, 2009 @ 7:53 am
Link to one news article regarding Facebook ban in Iran.
http://www.africasia.com/services/news/newsitem.p...
Comment by maria — May 23, 2009 @ 8:01 am
ask Facebook dont filter users from Iran ?? ??? ??? ?? ?????? ????? ?? ????? ????
This is to ask Facebook not to filter users from Iran and other embargoed countries.
http://www.causes.com/causes/277093
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