Ask HN: Why IBM World Community Grid bans Donors from Cuba, Iran, Syria?

3 points by amirbehzad 9 years ago | 3 comments

IBM World Community Grid (worldcommunitygrid.org) claims that it enables anyone with a computer, smartphone or tablet to donate their unused computing power to advance cutting-edge scientific research on topics related to health, poverty and sustainability.

I also wanted to contribute some processing power to help fight Cancer, but I guess my laptop doesn't qualify because of my citizenship.

https://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/stat/viewStatsByCountryAT.do?sort=members

What are some non-for-profit organizations that allow any human being to contribute and donate CPU-time for the sake of mankind, without being rejected because of his nationality, skin-color, or religion?

exolymph 9 years ago |

Based on the countries you're mentioning, I'd guess that it's a legal limitation.

amirbehzad 9 years ago | |

It's not a business transaction to make profit. Nothing is exported to benefit citizens of these countries, rather they're donating their resources.

NonEUCitizen 9 years ago |

Donating "unused computing power" implies code gets transferred to the device for execution. Parts of the code may be under export control.