FOLLOWING PROTESTS, CUBA LAYS OUT LAWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA USE

Cuba’s government spelled out its laws against using social media or the internet to stir up protests or insult the state — and offered people a form to report offenders.

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The decrees published in the Official Gazette follow the largest protests Cuba has seen in years, which broke out last month and apparently were fed in part by messages on social media applications.

A decree signed by Communications Minister Mayra Arevich was meant to “prevent, detect and respond opportunely to possible enemy, criminal and harmful activities that could occur in cyberspace.”

It forbids spreading content that attacks “the constitutional, social and economic” rules of the state or that incite demonstrations or other acts “that alter public order.” It also targets messages that justify violence or that affect people’s privacy or dignity.