Should the US be allowed too sell internet censoring software to other nations?

Software to censors the internet and stomps out dissent from citizens. Is it right?

For years US software companies have been selling tools used to censor the internet, and increase surveillance in countries that are known for abusing there citizens. (Syria, China, Saudi Arabia and soon Pakistan)

Does the US have the right to sell this kind of software to other nations? Effectively helping there governments censor and oppress there citizens. Or does the US have a moral responsibility to say no, and make selling this kind of software overseas illegal?

Vote and discuss!

http://news.cnet.com/8301-27080_3-57400425-245/dark-trade-in-web-censoring-tools-exposed-by-pakistan-plan/?tag=mncol%3B1n

 

I would say that as long as the government restricts the sale of cryptographic software overseas (which is useful for circumventing censorship software), it should also restrict the sale of censorship software.

 

I just want to be clear.

I assume this is refering to companies that happen to reside in the US, selling filtering software to whoever is interested.
(Pretty sure the US government is not in the business of selling computer software)

What software companies residing in the US sell, has nothing to do with the US government.

Also, other countries are NOT filtering their internet because some company in the US makes the software.

Software companies in the US make the software, because other countries want to filter their internet.

I dont think its ok for any country to censor their internet, but software developers in the US are not to blame for China's policies on free speech/information.

Thats sorta like blaming Clorox for stupid kids drinking bleach.

 

A private and NON-government funded US company should be able to sell whatever junk they can peddle to foreign investors. If the USA government sanctions or provides funding for such activities, there is a huge logical error.

 

They are already refusing to sell this kind of software to Iran, Syria and North Korea for fear of abuse. Adding other countries to the list should be done to make this more comprehensive. Or if Americans stand for internet freedom they should at least publicly shame companies who sell tools of oppression to these tyrants!

 

Right...a "right" is subject to laws of the nation that will implement the object(s). It is not up to us to interpret their rights, only to create products that others want as long as they bring our citizens no harm. That is business. That is capitalism.

 

We can be sure that a such software is already purchased by Russia.

 

Do you still consider it morally wrong? I can't help but notice nobodies going for the 'name and shame but not regulate' option..