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Cyber Surveillance Technology in Cuba: How Does China's Shadow Affect People's Freedom?
In Cuba, Internet use is subject to strict government monitoring and access is restricted. According to the 2018 report by Freedom House, Cuba was rated as a "not free" country and ranked fifth out of all 65 countries. This makes Cuba one of the countries with the worst violations of Internet freedom, after China, Iran, Syria and Ethiopia.
"Cuba's Internet surveillance technology and restrictions require people to be more careful when using the Internet."
Many websites are inaccessible in Cuba, largely due to government restrictions and poor technological infrastructure. Although major websites such as YouTube and Google are not blocked, many Cubans still cannot access them smoothly due to slow Internet speeds.
Background
The Cuban government uses Avila Link software to monitor the behavior of Internet users. When users' connections pass through proxy servers, the government can collect users' account numbers and passwords. Cuban Ambassador Miguel Ramirez defended the country's right to "regulate access to the Internet to prevent hacking, theft of passwords and access to pornographic, cultic, terrorist or other negative websites".
"Reports indicate that Cuba may have obtained some Internet surveillance technology from China, which makes the freedom of the land even more precarious."
Limited Internet Access
In Cuba, all online publications must be approved by the National Registry of Serial Publications. The government does not allow unapproved individuals to access services. Although Internet usage has gradually increased as the economy develops, a large number of people still face problems with limited Internet access.
"Despite these restrictions, many Cubans still connect to the Internet through embassies, Internet cafes and personal friends."
As of 2018, approximately 39% of the population, or 4.5 million people, have access to the internet, a number that continues to increase. The development of Cuba's telecommunications infrastructure has led to an increasing availability of mobile phones, but despite this, many people still find it difficult to afford the high cost of Internet access.
State-controlled telecommunications environment
Internet service in Cuba is completely controlled by the state-owned monopoly ETECSA. Cuba implements a system of temporary or permanent accounts in providing Internet services, mainly for the convenience of foreign tourists and Cuban citizens.
"Most Cubans can only use the local area network provided by the government, which further restricts Internet freedom."
Cost of Internet Access
Until 2018, the connections available in Cuban Internet cafes were divided into two types: "national" and "international". Most Cubans cannot afford high international Internet access costs, forcing them to use cheaper domestic networks, most of which are filtered and monitored by the government.
"Low income makes it difficult for most Cubans to use the Internet, and even home Internet access has become a luxury."
Street Network and Weekly Package
Some Cubans have connected themselves by creating street networks (SNets), small wireless internet connections set up by citizens to evade government surveillance. These networks that cannot be controlled by the government allow Cubans to enjoy a certain degree of private communication space.
In addition, Cubans also use a method called "El Paquete" to collect digital media through physical delivery. The packages contained music, live broadcasts and news, providing a source of intelligence for the public. However, with the advent of mobile data and better internet prices, the necessity of this delivery method is gradually decreasing.
As Cuba's communications technology continues to develop, cell phones and internet access will continue to impact people's freedom and privacy. But in an increasingly surveilled society, can Cubans find a better balance between personal freedom and data security?
