SURF CHROME

(SURFCHROME.COM) - In this increasingly global economy, even open source software like Google Chrome is affected by politics and borders.  The battle lines have been drawn, and cyberspace has become increasingly hostile.  Google attempts to "do no evil" and in the process they have blocked Google Chrome from those considered enemies of the state.  

Export Control

Apparently, it is the responsibility of the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to implement and enforce the United States Export Administration Regulations (EAR).  To comply with increasingly enforced Export Controls, Google has blocked Chrome downloads from a number of embargoed countries and those designated as supporting terrorist activities including Syria, Sudan, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba.  Severe penalties can be both Criminal and Civil.  Criminal export control violations can include up to $1 million per violation and a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.  Civil penalties can be up to $500,000 per violation.

Encryption

What coding does Google Chrome have that prevents it from being used in blocked countries?  We can only speculate why but based on past history, most likely it is due to the encryption and possibly new technologies like incognito mode.  Software that contained high levels of encryption was previously forbidden from exiting many Western countries.  Europe's Western Union is considered by the US to be a license free zone.  In 2004, the transport of encryption technology became more lax to adjust for the global economy, however, the United States Bureau of Industry and Security still maintains high encryption export control standards for anything over 64bit.

Workaround

Google has to try their best to comply with US laws and regulations but there are ways to get around these restrictions.  Some use proxy servers to configure their surfing habits to make it seem they are from another country.  There are also locations for the complete download since many individuals have firewalls that prevent complete installation of Google Chrome over the internet. 

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Baka Kelana  - Google Chrome Blacklists Syria, Iran, North Korea,     |61.247.11.xxx |2008-10-16 04:12:30 Thanks for this information Reply | Quote 0   0

Jeddy  - Does this include Pakistan?   |119.30.110.xxx |2008-11-24 16:57:34 Are Pakistanis going to be affected by this policy? If it is then it would mean that Pakistan is an enemy of the USA - seemingly we are only allies on the war on terror and enemies in everything else. Perhaps you also approve US missiles killing scores of Pakistanis. Reply | Quote 1   1

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