Cuba's Supreme Popular Court denies surveillance and recording of messages and calls

The Supreme Court of Cuba denied implementing a legal norm to record calls or messages, declaring the information circulating on social media to be false.


The People's Supreme Court of Cuba denied this Sunday that it plans to implement regulations to monitor, record, or systematically intercept telephone calls and messages on the island, as rumored on social media.

The institution published a statement on its official Facebook profile, where it labeled as "completely false" the information that warned of an alleged plan by the judicial system to control the personal communications of the population.

Facebook Capture / Supreme People's Court Cuba

"This information is completely false, and its content is riddled with lies and malicious deceit," the text states, urging citizens not to spread such rumors and to seek information only through institutional channels.

The Court asserts that this same message—now recycled—previously circulated on November 18, 2024, with the identical intention: “to publicly discredit the official actions of state institutions.”

Although it is common in Cuba for there to be specialized structures for controlling and monitoring the citizenry, such as the State Security bodies, the Supreme Court assures with its publication that it will not "enact regulations establishing broad monitoring, surveillance, and recording of all calls and messaging."

The post responds to an audio that has been circulating in recent days through messaging apps, in which a female voice claims that the State will start recording "everyone and their messages."

That same person claims that conversations on WhatsApp will also be recorded: “watch what you write, nothing unusual can be discussed,” underlines the audio, serving as a personal alert.

In addition, the woman advises warning "friends," especially those who have "a strong business."

Despite the fact that the People's Supreme Court of Cuba publicly denied the implementation of rules for the mass monitoring of calls and messages, concerns about state surveillance are not new.

In recent years, various statements and regulations have reinforced the perception that there are structures dedicated to citizen control. Recently, a colonel from State Security revealed on national television that his organization operates under the premise of acting "always above the law when it comes to defending the Revolution", which reinforces the idea of an autonomous operation without clear legal limits.

On the same day, the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel publicly defended this institution, stating that the Cuban State Security is “respected and admired worldwide”. These statements came amidst growing criticism regarding the role of the repressive apparatus in the daily lives of citizens, particularly in monitoring opponents, activists, and independent journalists.

Legal precedents also support the concerns of the citizenry. In November 2019, the Cuban regime issued a decree that legalizes mass surveillance on digital networks, granting authorities broad powers to intercept electronic communications without specific judicial requirements.

This measure has been harshly criticized by governments and international organizations. Among them, the United States expressed concern about the regression in terms of privacy and civil rights on the island. These events demonstrate that, beyond official statements denying rumors, there are institutional, regulatory, and discursive elements that have contributed to generating distrust among the population regarding the privacy of their communications.

Frequently Asked Questions about Surveillance and Privacy in Cuba

Is the People's Supreme Court of Cuba planning to monitor calls and messages?

The People's Supreme Court of Cuba has firmly denied having plans to monitor, record, or intercept phone calls and messages on the island. The institution described the information circulating on social media as "completely false," insisting that it is the result of malicious rumors aimed at discrediting state institutions.

How do rumors of surveillance manifest in Cuba?

The rumors of surveillance in Cuba have mainly spread through audio messages on messaging apps, claiming that the State will begin recording calls and messages. The Supreme Court has responded to these rumors, labeling them as false and urging the public not to replicate them.

What measures is the Cuban government taking in response to false information on social media?

The Cuban government warns of sanctions for those who spread false information that causes alarm or panic. Authorities have indicated that the mass dissemination of rumors through social media could lead to legal consequences, in an effort to control the misinformation circulating on these platforms.

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CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.

CiberCuba Editorial Team

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.