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<aside> ➡️ Examples of E-learning and Massive open online course (MOOC) Services: Coursera, Udacity, Udemy, Khan Academy
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<aside> 🔷 Major US-based MOOC platforms like Coursera and Udacity impose sanctions-related restrictions that block Iranians from accessing paid services and credentials [14]. Other platforms allow varying levels of access - edX enables Iranians to audit courses but not earn verified certificates, while FutureLearn and Udemy provide partial access but limit some courses and payments [15]. Khan Academy's lessons are accessible but account features may be limited [16]. As a result, certain key features like credential-earning, tracking progress, and user accounts remain restricted across most mainstream MOOC platforms for Iranians due to US sanctions.
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<aside> 📌 (UDHR Article 27: Enjoy and share scientific advancement and its benefits; UDHR Article 26: Education; UDHR Article 19: Freedom of Expression & Access to Information; UDHR Article 2: Freedom from discrimination)
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The sanctions-imposed restrictions that block Iranians from accessing paid services and credentials on major US-based MOOC platforms like Coursera and Udacity raise concerning human rights implications. By barring access to high-quality online courses, professional development, and educational resources from leading global platforms, these limitations infringe on the right to education. They also hinder academic and career progression for Iranians who are unable to earn recognized certifications and credentials that often rely on verified completions. This isolation from global educational networks and communities is especially concerning given the increased significance of online learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has set norms for the post-COVID situation as well.
The lack of access to MOOC services prevents skill development in critical technical fields like computer science and data science that utilize the latest technologies. Apprenticeship skills in these fields are known to be important because of the impacts of AI on the future of work. This could further contribute to Iran's technological lag, brain drain, and job loss. There are also ethical concerns that such blanket sanctions on education access hurt ordinary citizens more than governments, and are ultimately counterproductive. The restrictions push Iranians towards using unsafe VPNs and unstable circumvention methods to bypass barriers, creating risky cat-and-mouse dynamics given the limited availability of trusted VPN services.