Export Compliance

Quantum computing is an advanced technology with strategic significance, and like other advanced technologies it is subject to export regulation. Open Quantum is provided from the United States, so our platform operates under U.S. export-control laws, including the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by the Department of Commerce, and the economic sanctions programs administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

We treat these rules as the foundation that lets us open quantum computing to as many people as possible. Because we do the compliance work up front, researchers, students, and companies in nearly every country can sign up and run real quantum workloads in minutes.

What we do

• Account basics. At sign-up we ask for your country and whether you are using Open Quantum as an individual, a student or academic, or on behalf of a company or organization. That is all the screening information we need from you.

• Screening. New accounts are checked against the U.S. Government's Consolidated Screening List, published by the International Trade Administration. The vast majority of accounts clear automatically within moments. When a check needs a closer look, a member of our team reviews it; automated matching alone never denies anyone access.

• Geographic availability. We do not offer the platform in countries or regions where U.S. sanctions or export-control restrictions do not allow it. Everywhere else, Open Quantum is open for business.

The information we collect for screening is handled under our Privacy Policy.

Cloud access and export controls

Accessing quantum computing through the cloud sits on well-settled regulatory ground. Under long-standing guidance from the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security, in advisory opinions issued in 2009, 2011, and 2014, providing cloud services such as software-as-a-service is not itself an export-controlled activity. When you run a job on Open Quantum, you are using computing capability, not receiving controlled technology.

Similarly, under EAR §734.18, transmitting export-controlled content across borders with end-to-end encryption is not a controlled activity until that content is accessed in unencrypted form. One responsibility does stay with you: if content you store or transmit through any cloud service is itself export-controlled, the licenses that apply to that content are yours to secure. These principles are also covered well on IonQ's Global Export Compliance page, which we gladly credit.

What we ask of you

Our Terms of Use spell this out in full, but in short: keep your account information accurate and current, do not use the platform for prohibited end-uses such as weapons development, and do not provide access to restricted parties or embargoed countries or regions. If your circumstances change, let us know.

Third-party quantum hardware

Jobs submitted through Open Quantum may execute on quantum hardware operated by our provider partners, and each partner maintains its own compliance program for the systems it operates.

Frequently asked questions