Taliban-imposed Internet blackout cuts off Afghanistan from the world

Afghanistan has been plunged into silence after the Taliban cut internet and phone services nationwide, describing the move as part of a crackdown on «immoral activities,» according to CNN.

On Monday night, the monitoring group NetBlocks said there was a complete internet blackout in Afghanistan. Millions of people were unable to connect with family and friends. Flights to Kabul were cancelled, and both Afghan and international news outlets lost contact with their staff in the capital. The move followed an internet ban in Balkh province earlier this month, which was imposed for the same reason.

This is the largest blackout since the Taliban seized power in 2021. Some local officials had warned that the Taliban’s top leader, Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada, had ordered these restrictions across the country. Authorities stated that they would offer an alternative system, but did not specify what that would be.

The shutdown puts online education at risk for girls who are not allowed in classrooms, makes aid work harder, and leaves Afghan communities even more isolated.

«It is extinguishing their lifeline to the outside world,» said Sabena Chaudhry from Women for Afghan Women, as reported by CNN.

Afghans living abroad called the silence «deafening.» Some have asked the satellite company Starlink to help, but the service is not available in Afghanistan.