In a move that has left Afghanistan virtually cut off from the rest of the world, the Taliban government has imposed a nationwide internet blackout, disrupting communications, banking, commerce, and aviation. The blackout, which has now entered its second day, has been attributed to the Taliban’s efforts to combat what they perceive as immorality.
According to a report by The Washington Post, nearly all links with the outside world have been disrupted, leading to grounded planes and closed businesses across the country. The Taliban’s decision to ban fiber-optic internet comes two weeks after they first signaled their intention to do so, causing widespread chaos and confusion.
Al Jazeera highlights the impact of the blackout, noting that telecommunications have been severely affected after the Taliban authorities cut fiber-optic connections in several provinces to prevent what they deem as ‘vice’. The UN human rights office has also warned of the “extremely serious” implications of the internet and telecommunications cut, particularly for women and girls in Afghanistan.
Despite the widespread reports of an internet ban, the Taliban government has denied imposing such a measure. According to the South China Morning Post, the Taliban has attributed the disruption to the replacement of old fiber optic cables that have worn out. The Taliban leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, had reportedly issued a decree to combat immorality, leading to internet shutdowns in several provinces.
France 24 further reports on the Taliban’s denial of a nationwide internet ban, with the government stating that there is no truth to the rumors being spread. The Taliban’s explanation that the blackout is due to the replacement of old cables has sparked concern and skepticism among observers, raising questions about the true motives behind the internet disruption.
Confusion continues to surround the situation in Afghanistan, with some networks being restored while others remain offline. ABC News highlights the uncertainty over internet connectivity in the country, with conflicting reports and statements adding to the complexity of the situation.
As Afghanistan grapples with the ongoing internet blackout, concerns about human rights, access to information, and the impact on daily life continue to mount. The denial of a nationwide ban by the Taliban government has raised doubts about the true reasons behind the disruption, adding to the uncertainty and fear among the Afghan population.
In conclusion, the internet blackout in Afghanistan has not only paralyzed the country but has also raised serious concerns about human rights and access to information. The conflicting reports and denials from the Taliban government have added to the confusion and skepticism surrounding the situation, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in times of crisis.
Political Bias Index: Neutral
References:
1. The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/09/30/afghanistan-internet-blackout-taliban/
2. Al Jazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/30/afghanistan-imposes-internet-blackout-what-has-the-effect-been-so-far?traffic_source=rss
3. UN Human Rights Office: https://ifpnews.com/un-warns-afghanistan-internet-cut-extremely-serious-for-human-rights
4. South China Morning Post: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3327514/taliban-deny-afghanistan-internet-ban-amid-outage-reports?utm_source=rss_feed
5. France 24: https://www.france24.com/en/video/20251001-afghanistan-the-nationwide-internet-shutdown-led-by-taliban-gov-continues
6. ABC News: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/confusion-afghan-internet-outage-after-purported-taliban-statement-126123611
Hashtags: #Afghanistan #InternetBlackout #HumanRights #NexSouk #AIForGood #EthicalAI
Social Commentary influenced the creation of this article.
🔗 Share or Link to This Page
Use the link below to share or embed this post:
