Digital Darkness in Afghanistan

Afghanistan's Digital Darkness: Taliban Tighten Grip on Internet and Social Media

The Taliban administration in Afghanistan has intensified its control over the digital lives of citizens, imposing sweeping limitations on online networks and periodically shutting down internet access. These actions represent a significant escalation in the regime's efforts to regulate public discourse and enforce its stringent version of Islamic principles. The moves have sparked widespread condemnation from international observers and human rights organisations, who warn of the devastating consequences for freedom of expression, economic stability, and the fundamental rights of the Afghan people, particularly the female population who have become heavily reliant on the online world for education and connection.

A Deliberate Strategy of Control

United Nations experts have decried the Taliban's actions as a clear violation of fundamental human rights. They argue that these measures are not isolated incidents but part of a calculated strategy to control public narrative and regulate societal behaviour. The restrictions follow a pattern of increasing digital censorship that began with localised shutdowns and has escalated to nationwide blackouts and the filtering of major online communication services. Observers note that this digital repression mirrors the Taliban's broader crackdown on civil liberties since they reassumed authority during 2021, effectively silencing dissent and isolating the population from the global community.

Nationwide Blackouts and Filtered Access

Recent weeks have seen an unprecedented level of digital disruption across Afghanistan. A 48-hour nationwide internet blackout in late September, reportedly ordered by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, paralysed the country. This total shutdown followed earlier cuts to fibre-optic services in several provinces. Although connectivity was eventually restored, it was followed by new, more targeted restrictions. Multiple internet service providers are now filtering access to popular platforms like Snapchat, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram, making them intermittently unavailable or completely inaccessible for many Afghans.

Justifications and Realities

The Taliban have offered vague justifications for their actions, citing the need to prevent "immorality" and "vice". An official representing the governor in Balkh province explicitly stated they were obstructing online connectivity to stop immoral activities. However, these official explanations are widely viewed with scepticism. Critics and human rights groups contend that the real motive is to suppress dissent and disconnect Afghans from the world, thereby cementing the regime's control. The lack of a formal, detailed explanation from the central government has only fuelled these suspicions and deepened public anxiety.

Economic and Humanitarian Fallout

The digital crackdown is having a severe impact on Afghanistan's already fragile economy. Businesses, many of which rely on mobile communication and online platforms for their operations, have been brought to a standstill during blackouts. A shopkeeper in Kabul described the market as "totally frozen", highlighting the dependence on mobile phones for deliveries and commerce. The restrictions also sever crucial financial lifelines for many families who depend on remittances from relatives abroad. Furthermore, humanitarian aid operations are severely hampered, making it difficult for organisations to co-ordinate relief efforts and reach vulnerable communities.

The Disproportionate Impact on Women

The group most severely affected by these digital restrictions is the female population of Afghanistan. After the Taliban prohibited them from attending secondary and higher education, online access became their sole gateway to learning. Online courses provided a vital connection, offering access to knowledge and a link to the global community. The internet also offered rare opportunities for remote work and online businesses, providing a sliver of economic independence. With these platforms now limited, females in the country face further isolation, jeopardising their education, livelihoods, and mental wellbeing.

Voices from a Silenced Nation

Afghans throughout the nation have expressed their frustration and fear. A government employee in Nangarhar province reported that while the Facebook application would launch, images and videos would not display, and he described the overall internet performance as extremely poor. In Kandahar, a business owner's high-speed fibre connection was cut, leaving him with sluggish and unreliable mobile data. For many, online access represents a link to a world of information and opportunity that is rapidly shrinking. These personal accounts paint a grim picture of daily life under an increasingly repressive digital regime.

Media Under Siege

The assault on digital freedom is part of a broader war on information. Since seizing authority, the administration has systematically dismantled Afghanistan's once-vibrant media landscape. Over half of the country's media outlets have closed, and thousands of journalists, especially women, have lost their jobs or fled the country. Those who remain operate in a climate of fear, subject to threats, arbitrary arrests, and violence. The Taliban's Ministry of Information and Culture has issued regulations so broad and vague that they effectively prohibit any critical reporting, forcing journalists into self-censorship.

A Future of Digital Isolation

The Taliban's tightening grip on the internet signals a dark future for Afghanistan. The regime appears to be emulating the digital control models of other authoritarian states, creating a "Great Firewall" to insulate its population from outside influence and internal dissent. This digital isolation not only violates the fundamental rights of Afghans but also threatens to push the country further into economic and social crisis. The international community has called for the immediate restoration of full internet access, but within Afghanistan, the prospects for digital freedom appear increasingly bleak.

Global Condemnation and Calls for Action

The international response has been one of strong condemnation. UN experts, including Richard Bennett, the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, have called on the Taliban to adhere to their international human rights obligations. They stress that any restrictions on freedom of expression must be lawful, necessary, and proportionate. Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups have echoed these calls, highlighting the devastating impact of the shutdowns on the daily lives of ordinary Afghans. They urge international pressure to reverse these repressive measures and safeguard the digital rights of the Afghan people.

The People's Resilience

Despite the immense challenges, some Afghans are finding ways to circumvent the restrictions. The use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has reportedly soared as citizens attempt to bypass the government's filters and access blocked content. This digital resistance, while risky, demonstrates a determined effort to stay connected and informed. It highlights the deep-seated desire for the freedoms that the Taliban are so intent on extinguishing. The struggle for digital access has become a key front in the broader fight for human rights in Afghanistan.

An Unprecedented Communications Crisis

The complete shutdown of telecommunications services, lasting 48 hours, created a crisis unprecedented in the country's recent history. The blackout disrupted flights, banking services, and the ability to contact emergency responders. For that duration, the nation was effectively blind and deaf, cut off from itself and the rest of the world. The chaos that ensued underscored the critical role that modern communications play in the functioning of a society and the severe consequences of their arbitrary removal by an authoritarian power.

Erosion of Past Gains

The current situation marks a tragic reversal of the progress made over the past two decades. Afghanistan had developed a dynamic media sector and growing internet penetration, which had empowered a new generation of citizens. The national fibre-optic network, largely built with international support, was once touted as a priority to connect the country to the world and lift it out of poverty. Now, this very infrastructure is being used as a tool of repression, systematically dismantling the gains in free expression and connectivity.

The Psychological Toll

Beyond the economic and educational impacts, the digital isolation is taking a heavy psychological toll on the population. For many, particularly the youth and women confined to their homes, online access was a window to the wider world and a source of hope. The removal of this connection exacerbates feelings of isolation and despair. UN experts have warned that a deterioration in the mental health of females is a likely consequence of being cut off from their virtual support networks and educational opportunities.

A Deliberate Act of Disconnection

The internet monitoring organisation NetBlocks has confirmed that the restrictions are intentional and implemented across multiple service providers. Their analysis suggests a deliberate and coordinated effort by the Taliban authorities to control the flow of information. This technical evidence contradicts any claims of accidental outages or infrastructure problems, pointing instead to a clear policy of digital censorship. The intermittent access reported by users is consistent with a filtering system designed to disrupt rather than completely block, creating uncertainty and frustration.

The End of Free Expression

The Taliban's actions have effectively extinguished the flame of free expression in Afghanistan. Journalists are forced to have their stories approved by officials, and any content deemed contrary to the regime's ideology is forbidden. With the closure of independent media outlets and the severe curbs on online platforms, the space for public debate and dissent has all but disappeared. The country is being plunged into an information vacuum, where the only narrative permitted is that of the ruling authorities.

A Lifeline Severed for Education

The ban on female education has affected more than a million girls. For them, online learning platforms were not just a substitute for school; they were a symbol of resistance and a testament to their unyielding desire to learn. Tens of thousands had enrolled in online courses, studying everything from English to science. The internet restrictions now threaten to sever this last remaining educational lifeline, with devastating long-term consequences for an entire generation of Afghan women and for the future of the country itself.

A Pattern of Increasing Repression

The digital crackdown is consistent with the Taliban's broader pattern of imposing draconian restrictions on society. Since their return, they have systematically eroded the rights of women, curtailed personal freedoms, and suppressed any form of opposition. From banning music to dictating women's dress codes, the regime has sought to impose its rigid ideology on every aspect of Afghan life. The manipulation of internet access is the latest, and perhaps most powerful, tool in this campaign of repression.

The World is Watching

As the Taliban continue to tighten their digital stranglehold, the world is watching with growing alarm. The situation in Afghanistan serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of digital rights and the ways in which technology can be wielded as an instrument of oppression. The plight of the Afghan people, particularly its female population, underscores the urgent need for a robust global defence of internet freedom and the universal right to access information and express oneself without fear. The digital darkness descending on Afghanistan is a tragedy for its people and a challenge to the conscience of the world.