This article was published on August 20, 2014

Google brings its Chrome browser to Cuba as US trade restrictions ‘evolve’


Google brings its Chrome browser to Cuba as US trade restrictions ‘evolve’

Google today announced the release of Chrome in Cuba. Citizens of the country can now grab the browser directly from Google.com.cu.

The block was originally enforced in accordance with US export controls and economic sanction regulations. The company didn’t explain why Cubans can suddenly download Chrome starting today, but it did say, “As these trade restrictions evolve we’ve been working to figure out how to make more tools available in sanctioned countries.”

Google first blocked the use of Chrome within sanctioned countries like Syria and Iran back in October 2008 (the browser launched in September 2008). In January 2011, the company unblocked Chrome use in Iran (along with Google Earth and Picasa) and in May 2012 did the same in Syria. Now Cuba can join in the fun too.

Thumbnail image credit: Kimihiro Hoshino/Getty Images

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