Internet Services Limited in Cuba, March 2024

Cuba

17 March, 2024 15:20 - 20:30 (5 hours)

Local Impact

There are reports of Internet services being ‘curtailed’ for several hours in at least two regions in Cuba in response to protests.

Cuba has a history of shutting down the Internet during protests, most recently in July 2022.

Internet shutdowns during protests or civil unrest impact the ability of citizens to get accurate information from government sources when they need it most. It also becomes harder for citizens to contact family members and friends in other parts of the country or other countries.

Data and Analysis

Google Transparency Report shows a more than 20% drop in traffic to Google Web Search services from 24 hours prior.

Screenshot of line graph showing changes to traffic to Google Web Search services — Figure 1 — Traffic to Google Web Search services from 11 to 18 March. Source: Google Transparency Report.

Kentik also reports a drop in Internet traffic between 17 March 19:20 UTC and 18 March 00:30 UTC.

We're seeing a five-hour dip in traffic to #Cuba coinciding with reports of a disruption in mobile service following protests in Santiago de Cuba earlier today.

Dip in traffic begins at 19:20 UTC (3:20pm ET) and lasted until 00:30 UTC (8:30pm ET). pic.twitter.com/hXAlmwswm3
— Doug Madory (@DougMadory) March 18, 2024

Conversations

The people of Cuba are still in the streets protesting against the government. The government of #Cuba has cut off the internet to prevent communication and live broadcasts on the Internet @CARICOMorg @mercosur @Europarl_ES @dw_espanol @XEspana @La1_tve #BadBunny https://t.co/EkTsGUO334

— El Moco (@lapajadelapaja) March 18, 2024

🚨#SOSCuba🚨

¡Soy su Representante Estatal Alina García y estamos en el #Versailles porque si #Cuba está en la calle, nosotros también!

¡Exigimos internet satelital para el pueblo cubano para que el régimen no pueda desactivarlos y reprimir a los indefensos en las calles!🇨🇺 pic.twitter.com/c5ImmpZWUf

— Representative Alina García (@AlinaGarcia) March 18, 2024

Internet Shutdowns

Cuba