Cuba alleges Facebook aiding dissident movement, threatens legal action

FILE PHOTO: Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parilla speaks during a news conference in Havana, Cuba, July 13, 2021. Ismael Francisco/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuban foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez threatened legal action against Facebook on Wednesday, alleging the social media platform had aided the dissident movement in the communist-run country by changing algorithms and the geo-locations of posts ahead of planned protests on Nov. 15.

Dissidents in September requested permission to conduct a "Civic March for Change" in mid-November following widespread protests on the island in July. Cuban authorities denied that request last month, alleging protesters were seeking the violent overthrow of the government.