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After U.S. President Donald Trump issued an executive order restricting immigration from seven countries, several technology companies stepped forward to help those affected. Airbnb was among the first, offering free housing to refugees. Messaging platform Viber also responded by enabling free calls from the U.S. to the countries included in the ban, allowing people to reach loved ones and stay informed.
The countries affected by the travel restrictions are:
- Iraq
- Syria
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Viber’s action does not resolve the broader humanitarian and legal issues created by the order, but it provides a vital communications channel for people stranded or separated from family. Free calling makes it easier for affected individuals to notify relatives, coordinate support, and access information during a chaotic and uncertain period.
Hiroshi Mikitani, CEO of Rakuten—the company that acquired Viber three years earlier—expressed disappointment at the measure, saying it contradicted values of freedom and liberty often associated with America. Rakuten announced that Viber would allow free calls to the impacted countries to assist those affected by the executive order.
Rakuten’s announcement adds to a growing list of technology companies that publicly condemned the order. Many of these firms employ people from the banned countries; among those speaking out were Apple, Facebook, Google, Amazon, Twitter, Netflix, and Uber. While most companies issued statements of opposition, several also pledged concrete support. Google committed $4 million to four organizations that assist immigrants, and Uber set up a $3 million fund to help drivers from affected countries with legal and immigration-related assistance.
The administration described the order as a measure aimed at preventing extremists from entering the U.S. However, at the time, no deaths on U.S. soil had been attributed to citizens of the restricted countries. By contrast, citizens of other Middle Eastern countries—such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Lebanon—have been linked to attacks that resulted in American casualties and were not included in the ban. Critics highlighted this inconsistency while questioning the order’s focus and effectiveness.
Research cited by commentators, including analysis from the Cato Institute, underscored the statistical rarity of terrorist violence by refugees or immigrants. The Cato report estimated that the annual chance of an American being killed in a terrorist attack by a refugee was extremely low—on the order of one in billions—while other immigration-related risks were similarly remote in statistical terms compared with everyday risks such as violent crime by visitors on tourist visas.
Viber’s free-calling initiative is an example of how companies can use their products and resources to provide immediate, practical assistance while public debate and legal challenges continue. Whether other tech firms should extend similar services depends on each company’s priorities, infrastructure, and willingness to commit resources in support of affected communities.
Should other technology companies follow Viber’s example? Let us know in the comments.