Google launches free Play Store content in Sudan
July 18, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The American search engine, Google announced that it has expanded access to free apps on Google Play to users in Sudan for the first time, allowing more users to check out what Google Play has to offer.
“ As part of a commitment to helping more people around the globe use technology to communicate, find and create information, we’re announcing the availability of free apps and games on +Google Play in Sudan for the first time”, said the internet giant Saturday.
Washington imposed economic and trade sanctions on Sudan in 1997 in response to its alleged connection to terror networks and human rights abuses. In 2007 it strengthened the embargo, citing abuses in Darfur which it labelled as genocide.
However, last February the United States Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) announced that is amending Sudan’s sanctions regime to allow exports of personal communications hardware and software including smart phones and laptops.
Google said that its decision is part of an effort to bring access to more Google services on a global scale, and follows similar rollouts to Cuba, Myanmar, and Iran last year.
It’s worth noting that Google specified free apps, meaning there’s no way for those in Sudan to yet purchase apps and games.
Khartoum has lobbied Washington intensively to lift sanctions citing counter-terrorism cooperation and facilitating South Sudan referendum but little progress has been made on this front.
The US announced in 2010 it was easing sanctions on agriculture equipment and services which allowed half a dozen companies to obtain export licenses.
Also, it announced in August 2014 that it has introduced some changes to a rule issued in 2013 that allowed Sudanese students and professors to participate in exchange programs and receive scholarships.
It said it expanded the definition of US academic institutions to include their third-country branch campuses, adding that authorizations as defined now include their contractors as well.
On Wednesday, the Sudanese government has announced that consultations are under-way to import farming equipments and remote sensing technologies from the United States.
(ST)