Afghanistan Faces Nationwide Internet Shutdown Amid Taliban-Imposed Restrictions, UN Warns of Humanitarian Impact

Afghanistan experienced a nationwide internet and telecommunications blackout imposed by the Taliban, significantly disrupting daily life, education, banking, and humanitarian efforts. The shutdown followed a Taliban decree aimed at combating "immorality," with fiber-optic internet banned in northern Balkh province and then extending nationwide, causing fears of a return to the isolation seen during the Taliban's first regime in the late 1990s. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and various human rights organizations have condemned the shutdown, warning it exacerbates the humanitarian crisis and endangers vulnerable populations, including earthquake victims and returnees. Despite Taliban officials attributing the disruptions to decaying infrastructure being replaced, citizens and international observers view the blackout as a deliberate attempt to control information and isolate the country. The blackout has silenced communication channels, including those used by women and girls for education, and has been described by Afghans as turning the country into a "silent and dark prison." Partial restoration of internet access has begun, but fears remain about the long-term impact on Afghanistan's connectivity and freedoms.