The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) created the so-called Cuban Twitter project in what the Associated Press called an effort to undermine the Cuban government. Dubbed “ZunZuneo,” it masqueraded as a Twitter-like platform to collect users’ private data and spread political content that would trigger unrest. Under questioning from Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy at a hearing Tuesday, USAID administrator Rajiv Shah denied the program was covert.

Rajiv Shah: “Working on creating platforms to improve communications in Cuba and in many other parts of the world is a core part of what USAID has done for some time and continues to do. Our administration’s policy is to continue to support efforts to allow for open communications. To the extent that the AP story or any other comment creates the impression that this effort or any other goes beyond that for other ulterior purposes, that is simply inaccurate.”

Sen. Patrick Leahy: “Was there a covert program?”

Rajiv Shah: “Absolutely not.”