Afghanistan Plunges into Total Internet Blackout as Taliban Enforces Morality Crackdown

Afghanistan is currently experiencing a total internet blackout, a move implemented by Taliban authorities in what appears to be a sweeping crackdown on communications. This nationwide disconnection follows weeks of targeted fiber optic severances in various provinces, culminating in a complete shutdown independently verified by CBS News.

Cybersecurity watchdog Netblocks reported the total internet blackout on Monday, noting that multiple networks were disconnected in a stepwise manner, with telephone services also impacted. While the Taliban’s leadership has yet to issue a public statement, a local spokesperson in Balkh province, Haji Zahid, confirmed last Friday that the ban was ordered by supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada “to prevent immoral activities.”

The severe restrictions have already disrupted Afghan television channel TOLO’s broadcasts and shut down mobile phone internet services. Although sources within the Taliban reportedly indicated mobile services might be restored with a lower-capacity 2G signal, the current situation leaves millions without vital access.

This latest action by the Taliban, which retook control in 2021, further exacerbates Afghanistan’s dire humanitarian crisis and continues their rollback of women’s rights, detention of journalists, and suppression of public dissent. Experts, like former IMF advisor Torek Farhadi, warn that the lack of internet access will be devastating, severely handicapping online education and businesses, and effectively leading society to a “blind spot.” The international community, including the U.S., largely does not recognize the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government. The country is also still grappling with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake that killed nearly 3,000 people earlier this month.

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