KABUL: A nationwide communications blackout was imposed across Afghanistan on Monday, following weeks of internet restrictions by Taliban authorities aimed at curbing “vice.” Netblocks, an organization monitoring global internet governance, confirmed the blackout, reporting that Afghanistan’s national connectivity had dropped to just 14 percent of its normal levels.
The blackout comes after the Taliban began severing fibre optic connections in various provinces earlier this month. This move, initiated by Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, aimed to control high-speed internet access in regions across the country, including the northern Balkh province, where fibre optic internet was fully banned on September 16.
While the Taliban government cited the need to prevent “vice,” including the spread of content deemed inappropriate under their interpretation of Islamic law, the move has triggered concerns over its implications for access to information and communication within the country. Reports indicate that the crackdown also affected areas like Badakhshan, Takhar, Kandahar, and Helmand. In recent weeks, internet speeds have been slow and sporadic across Afghanistan.
This latest shutdown follows earlier disruptions to the country’s internet infrastructure, which had been touted as a major developmental achievement during the previous government. In 2024, the US-backed Afghan government had invested heavily in a 9,350-kilometre fibre optic network aimed at improving connectivity and fostering economic growth. However, since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, numerous restrictions have been imposed on the digital space in line with their interpretation of Islamic law.
