Cuba’s communist government is continuing to suppress protesters from sharing real-time updates concerning the authoritarian regime, but bipartisan legislation is enabling activists to access the internet. The Open Technology Fund Authorization Act, championed by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ), supports tools to circumvent internet censorship, including Psiphon.
“Socialism and communism leads to pain and suffering, and Cuba is the perfect example,” Blackburn said of the legislation. “The repressive Cuban government is attempting to squash protests by cutting off internet access for Cubans rebelling against communism. Yet, over 146,000 Cubans continue to have daily access to the internet thanks to open-source tools supported by the bipartisan Open Technology Fund my colleagues and I championed. The United States must do everything in its power to support those standing up to authoritarian regimes.”
Over 1.3 million Cuban protesters, who are victims of the communist regime, have been able to access the internet thanks to the service funded by the legislation.
BREAKING: Over 1.3 million Cubans have been able to access the internet today thanks to @PsiphonInc, an open-source tool supported by the bipartisan Open Technology Fund my colleagues and I championed.
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) July 16, 2021
We must stand with those opposing authoritarian regimes.
Update: Yesterday 1.389 Million daily unique users accessed the open web from Cuba through the Psiphon Network. Internet is ON; circumvention tools ARE working. This figure continues to increase, with today reaching 1.238 Million as of 12:00 EST (16:00 UTC) ?? pic.twitter.com/eVbStjfWap
— Psiphon Inc. (@PsiphonInc) July 16, 2021
Join the conversation as a VIP Member