Afghanistan is currently facing a nationwide internet blackout initiated by Taliban authorities, after the regime announced earlier this month that it was restricting access in certain parts of the country to combat “immoral activities.”
NetBlocks, an organization monitoring internet censorship, reported in a post on Monday night local time that the country is “now in the midst of a total internet blackout as Taliban authorities move to implement morality measures.” News of the blackout prompted criticism from aid and advocacy organizations: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) urged the Taliban “to immediately and fully restore nationwide Internet and telecommunications access,” stating that the blackout “has left Afghanistan almost completely cut off from the outside world, and risks inflicting significant harm on the Afghan people.”
“Such a ban has immediate and far-reaching consequences, including severely impacting the functioning of critical banking and financial systems, further increasing the isolation of women and girls, limiting access to emergency services and medical care, disrupting the aviation sector, and limiting access to remittances for dependent families,” UNAMA elaborated in a press release. “The current blackout also constitutes a further restriction on access to information and freedom of expression in Afghanistan.”
Here’s what is known about the situation.
When did the internet shutdown commence?
UNAMA indicated that internet access “has been interrupted or cut in many parts of Afghanistan” since September 16. Subsequently, on Monday, internet access was disconnected in Kabul, the country’s capital, and across the rest of Afghanistan “without prior notice,” UNAMA stated.
NetBlocks first observed a “collapse in internet access” throughout the country around 5:30 p.m. local time on Monday evening. A couple of hours later, the organization confirmed that the country was experiencing a “total internet blackout,” and that telephone services were also being affected. Afghanistan was still grappling with the blackout as of Tuesday, more than 24 hours later.
Is there an estimated end date for the blackout?
The duration of the blackout remains uncertain. The Taliban stated that the shutdown would persist until further notice, according to the .
What are the repercussions of the internet shutdown?
The blackout has impacted nearly all wireless internet connections, mobile internet, and telephone services. News outlets have reported disruptions to banking services, hospitals, businesses, government offices, news organizations, education, airports, and visa issuances in a country of roughly .
This shutdown also comes mere weeks after more than 2,200 people lost their lives in a devastating earthquake in the eastern part of the country. Aid organizations expressed fears that the blackout would severely hamper emergency response efforts.
Taliban’s enforcement against ‘immoral activities’
Since the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan in 2021, it has imposed many stringent restrictions on the country’s residents. However, this marks the first instance of the entire nation experiencing a comprehensive internet blackout under its rule.
Taliban authorities have specifically placed numerous curbs on girls and women, including prohibiting them from certain employment and from attending high school and higher education. Many girls and women had resorted to online educational programs offered by organizations in other countries, but the nationwide blackout now also prevents their access to these resources.
In recent weeks, the Taliban has voiced concerns regarding online pornography. Earlier this month, when the regime implemented an internet ban in five northern Afghan provinces, officials cited the reason as “to prevent immoral activities.” The Taliban has not yet offered a justification for its decision to enforce the broader internet blackout this week.
