Cuba has very restricted internet access due to government policy and economic limitations. Only a small percentage of Cubans have access, which is controlled and monitored by the government. While internet access is considered a right, all usage must be approved and people often practice self-censorship due to fear of punishment for political dissent or illegal connections. Access is also limited by high costs, slow connections, and penalties for violations.

1. Internet FilteringCuba

2. Internet access is strongly restricted in CubaReasons: The U.S. trade embargoGovernment policyPersonal economic limitationDecision for restricting internet in Cuba is brought by the U.S. government. Introduction

3. Cuba’s first full time connection to the internet was in October 1996.In 1998 – 64 Kpbs satellite connection run by Sprint in Florida.Population ofCuba in 1998 was 11 million – only scientist, medical researchers and government officials had access to the internet.Internet in Cuba

4. In 2000, 80 000 Cubans had email accounts. Half of those accounts had full internet access, others were restricted by the government.Today, in Cuba there are 480 000 email accounts and 190 000 regular internet users. In order to reach Internet public access, it costs USD 4.50 per hour.International Internet Connection is low since the connection is very weak and slow. Internet in Cuba

5. Cuban’s main purpose to use the internet is to send emails.The main purpose to use internet of Cuban Government is to promote country from aspect of tourism, political and medical reasons. Internet in Cuba

6. Government claimed internet access as “fundamental right” of every Cuban. Since January 2000 until today, every access to the Internet must be approved by the Government and Cuban Ministry of Computer Technology and Communications.Internet access is considered as the most significant government control in Cuba.Legal and Regulatory Frameworks

7. Access to the internet requires ID and registration.Cuban Internet traffic pass – software use to identify dissent political information.Many websites, emails are blocked due to ‘state security reasons’.Internet violation penalties:Twenty years in prisonbecause of ‘counter revolutionary’Five years because of illegal connectionLegal and regulatory frameworks

8. ‘Fear of state monitoring’ – email users sometimes hide some of their email messages.Internet access in Cuba and its legal and regulatory frameworks leads to self – censorship.Legal and regulatory frameworks

9. There is insufficient number of resources in order to enable internet access for all Cuba citizens.Higher prices of internet access due to U.S. trade embargoHarsh penalties for internet violationThere is restriction and insufficient freedom of information and expression.Summary

10. Deibert, Palfrey and RafalRohozinski. Access Denied, The Practice and Policy of Global Internet Filtering. London, England: The MIT Press, 2008. References: