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HAVANA, Cuba - 01/27/04 - The Cuban Government is tightening its control over Internet access, reports the BBC.

A new law that went into force yesterday makes it impossible for many Cubans to dial up the Internet from their home telephone lines.
 
Cuba says that, given its limited resources, it needs to "ensure that the Internet is primarily used for the social good."

The move clamps down on the thousands of Cubans who illegally access the Internet from their homes.
 
From now on, it will not be possible to dial up the main government server from most domestic phone lines and only lines which are paid for in dollars will have direct access. Those lines are usually restricted to foreigners.
 
All news media in Cuba is rigorously state-controlled and supportive of Fidel Castro's government.

The Cuban government has reacted angrily to suggestions that the change amounts to censorship saying it is doing nothing more than "preventing overused Internet connections being clogged up by people borrowing, or selling each other passwords."

The Internet, the government said, "should be for the common good, it says, pointing out that it will still be available in schools and workplaces."

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