Taliban order ban on smartphones as officials shown destroying devices
Summary
The Taliban have ordered a ban on the use of smartphones by government officials in Afghanistan, with penalties including confiscation and destruction of phones. This ban may extend to the wider population and follows earlier internet shutdowns and efforts to control communication.Key Facts
- The Taliban's military courts issued a directive banning smartphones for all government staff.
- Phones found in use will be smashed, and violators may face legal and religious punishments.
- Exceptions require written permission from Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.
- Videos show Taliban officials destroying smartphones after the ban was announced.
- The ban is applied differently across regions, sometimes affecting civilians, women, medical workers, and students.
- The ban follows an internet blackout in September aimed at preventing "immorality," which disrupted many services.
- The Taliban are concerned about loss of productivity and information leaks caused by smartphone use among officials.
- Protests in Herat against strict hijab enforcement and the Taliban's violent response may have influenced the tightened restrictions.
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