The U.S. Government Increases Access to Free Internet in Countries like Iran

The U.S. State Department has allocated an additional $18 million for the development of necessary facilities to enable citizens in countries such as Iran, Russia, and China to access the internet. According to Voice of America, this amount will be provided to a subset of the 'Open Technology Fund' to serve more users. This organization, established three years ago, was initially able to meet the needs of 9 million people for free internet access, a number that has now risen to 40 million users. Companies like 'Free Browser', 'Rostam VPN', 'Psiphon', 'N-Link', and 'Lantern' can now produce affordable technologies to combat censorship and provide them to citizens in countries with authoritarian governments. Laura Cunningham, the head of the 'Open Technology Fund', states that the need for access to free internet is increasing and that 'this tool is a vital artery for those who do not have access to independent and reliable news.' The 'Open Technology Fund', or 'OTF', provides these facilities to users with the help of Voice of America and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, as well as the Near Eastern Affairs Bureau at the U.S. State Department. Azra Zia, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, stated during the allocation of additional funding in this area that the United States' support for those whose governments do not allow access to free information is 'unwavering' and that providing facilities in this regard is 'a key part of America's efforts to promote human rights and democracy worldwide, both online and offline.'