Social media partially disrupted in Cuba amid anti-government protests

NetBlocks reported partial disruption to social media and messaging platforms in Cuba from 12 July 2021 shortly after Cubans went to the streets to protest the government.

Security experts from NetBlocks are observing partial disruption to social media and messaging platforms in Cuba from 12 July 2021 shortly after Cubans went to the streets to protest the government.

The move to limit the access online to Cubans aims at blocking citizens from sharing information about the situation within the country.

Instant messaging services like WhatsApp and Instagram, as well as social networks like Facebook servers were not available due to the filtering activity on the government-owned ETECSA (Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba, S.A. / AS27725).

NetBlocks confirmed that the servers of the above services have become partially or fully unavailable on both fixed and cellular lines in Cuba

“The targeted restrictions are likely to limit the flow of information from Cuba following widespread protests as thousands rallied against the socialist government and rising protests on Sunday.” states Netblocks.

“NetBlocks metrics show that communications platforms WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and as well as some Telegram servers are disrupted on government-owned ETECSA (Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Cuba, S.A. / AS27725) including Cubacel, the cellular network operated by Cuba’s sole telecommunications company.”

VPN services have yet to be blocked in the country, allowing citizens to bypass internet censorship.

NetBlocks reported that similar partial disruption was observed last year during the San Isidro protests in Havana.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, Cuba)

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