2LT International News

HAVANA, Cuba: Cuba’s introduction of Decree 35 to control the use of social media has angered many citizens and international rights activists.

The decree, which bans publications that could damage “the country’s prestige,” comes one month after the communist country witnessed its most widespread anti-government protests in decades, which were partly encouraged by social media posts.

The legislation, published in the country’s official gazette on Tuesday, aims to prevent the spread of false information and content deemed offensive or that could “incite mobilizations or other acts that upset public order.”

It also seeks to have Cubans inform the government about potential attempts to “subvert the constitutional order,” which will be considered cyberterrorism. But it does not stipulate the penalties for violations.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who blamed the 11th July protests on a U.S.-backed online campaign, said, “Decree 35 goes against misinformation and cyber lies.”

However, Cuba analysts compared the measure to the totalitarianism of George Orwell’s “1984.”

“Cuba is formalizing digital repression,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas, Americas Director of Amnesty International, noting Cuba had earlier restricted internet access during and following the protests.

Last month, the U.S. government said it was working with Congress and the private sector to make the internet more accessible to Cubans.

Cuba should “not punish those who speak the truth,” the State Department noted on Tuesday.

Some Cuban Americans, through social media, also encouraged Cubans to rise up against the government.

Many young Cubans have said they should not be banned from expressing themselves, and have taken to social media. “Now we cannot even talk,” said a doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Since the introduction of mobile internet just over two years ago, Cubans have been able to express their grievances and even gather for protests.

Critics of the Cuban government have been threatened with fines under a 2019 decree banning the “spread of information contrary to the common good, morals, decency and integrity,” of the country, but the decree has not been effective and neither, very likely, would Decree 35, said Canada-based Cuban legal analyst Eloy Viera.