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

3 pointsamirbehzad9y ago3 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?

3 comments

exolymph9y ago

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

amirbehzadOP9y 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.

NonEUCitizen9y ago

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

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