Taliban Censor Internet in Afghanistan to "Prevent Moral Corruption"

Afghanistan Plunged into Digital Darkness as Taliban Censor the Internet

In a move that has effectively severed Afghanistan from the global digital realm, the Taliban regime has orchestrated a near-total shutdown of internet services across the nation. This drastic measure, which extends to mobile connectivity and satellite television, has been officially justified by the ruling authorities as a means to "prevent moral corruption." However, the implications are far-reaching, threatening to cripple the already fragile economy and isolate the Afghan population even further.

A Blanket of Silence Descends

The organization Netblocks, a watchdog monitoring internet access, has confirmed a complete internet blackout. International news agencies report losing contact with their Afghan offices, underscoring the severity of the disruption. This digital silence has immediate and tangible consequences. At least eight flights scheduled to arrive or depart from Kabul International Airport have been canceled, a stark indicator of how intertwined modern infrastructure has become with reliable communication networks. The banking sector is expected to bear the brunt of this shutdown, with entrepreneurs warning that a prolonged blackout will paralyze economic activity, leaving businesses struggling to operate and individuals unable to access essential financial services.

Echoes of the Past, Present Dangers

This isn't the first time the Taliban has sought to control the flow of information. Even before this full-scale blackout, there were escalating restrictions. Weeks prior, Taliban leaders began limiting access to fiber optic lines in certain provinces, citing the same nebulous concern about preventing "immorality." The current, comprehensive shutdown, however, lacks explicit official justification beyond this initial statement. Netblocks described the situation as follows: "Afghanistan is currently experiencing a complete internet shutdown as the Taliban authorities take measures to ensure morality, resulting in the phased отключение of numerous networks throughout the morning; phone services are also affected." The nation's internet infrastructure is largely dependent on the state-owned Afghan Telecom's national fiber optic network, with mobile operators purchasing connectivity from this source or from international providers. This centralized control gives the Taliban significant leverage.

A Pattern of Control and Suppression

Since regaining control in 2021, the Taliban has systematically implemented a series of severe restrictions, rigidly adhering to their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. Women have been particularly targeted, facing bans on education beyond the age of 12 and, more recently, the removal of all books written by women from university curricula. The historical context is chillingly relevant. During their previous rule from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban also banned the internet. Throughout the subsequent insurgency, they actively targeted cell towers and forced international mobile providers like MTN to cease operations. Even in more recent times, following the capture of Kabul, temporary internet blackouts were imposed to quell potential dissent and prevent uprisings, a tactic now seemingly escalated to a national level.