Google downloads of Google Earth, Picasa and Chrome to be available in Iran

PanARMENIAN.Net - With restrictions lifted on exporting Internet services and software to Iran, Google will begin offering mapping program Google Earth, photo management service Picasa and Web browser Chrome for download there starting January 19.

"Our products are specifically designed to help people create, communicate, share opinions and find information. And we believe that more available products means more choice, more freedom and ultimately more power for individuals in Iran and across the globe," Neil Martin, export compliance programs manager for Google, said in a blog post.

The Obama administration began permitting technology companies to export online services such as instant messaging and photo sharing to Iran in March.

A Google spokeswoman said, "We worked to get these products available to the people of Iran in compliance with U.S. export controls as quickly as possible."

The push to make online services available for download in Iran got underway after protests over the disputed presidential election in 2009 there drew attention to the reach and power of digital services such as Facebook and Twitter.

Iran blocks access to social networking and other sites for most Iranians. Since the election, the government has condemned Facebook and Twitter, saying Iran's enemies use them in an effort to topple the regime.

Products still unavailable in Iran include AdSense, AdWords and Checkout.

Google still restricts downloads in Cuba, North Korea, Sudan and Syria, the Google spokeswoman said.

"This policy may change in the future as a result of the new Commerce Department regulation on publicly available software. For now, however, Google downloads are not available in those countries," she said, Los Angeles Times reported.