So this weekend I wrote Google to ask why they don’t allow computer users in Syria to download Chrome. Here’s what they said:

“In accordance with US export controls and economic sanctions regulations, we are unable to permit the download of Google Chrome in Syria.”

This didn’t exactly answer all my questions. So I asked again, where else the browser is unavailable for download and why the “export controls and economic sanctions regulations” apply to downloads but not the Google service in its entirety.

I’m waiting to see if they respond. Meanwhile, any legal minds out there who can hazard a guess?