The US Treasury Department decided to ease sanction on Cuba, Iran and Sudan to allow their citizens to access online services such as email, social networking and instant messaging.

The department lifted a ban on exports of software and Internet services so that Cuban, Iranian and Sudanese people can “exercise their most basic rights,” said Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin.

The move was requested by the Department of State to “ensure that individuals in these countries can exercise their universal right to free speech and information to the greatest extent possible.”

Wolin cited the recent protests in Iran where demonstrators and activists used the social networking site Twitter when the government shut down all communication lines to the outside world.

Wolin also added that other types of sanctions will continue to be enforced to pressure the government of Iran to take responsibility for its international obligations.

The three countries have different forms of control over Internet access among its citizens and it was still not clear how the move of the Treasury Department can impact them.

US-based Internet companies have some of their services, like Google’s Gmail, already used in countries affected by US sanctions. Most of the services, however, are inaccessible as mandated by US laws.

US State Secretary Hillary Clinton has condemned “electronic barriers” and called on other countries to have give their people the rightful access to the Internet.

The United States has imposed economic embargo on Cuba since 1962 as a move against the regime of Fidel Castro.

The US also banned any trade with Iran since 1997 and has even called for tougher sanctions on Monday as a campaign against the country’s nuclear program.

Sudan is on the list of countries with US economic sanctions because it is alleged that its government supports Islamic militants and its failure to resolve the situation in the war-torn Darfur.