The Taliban have cut fiber optic internet in northern Afghanistan, citing the need to “prevent immoral activities.” The restrictions began in Balkh and now cover five provinces: Kunduz, Badakhshan, Baghlan, Takhar, and Balkh, Reuters reported.
Authorities confirmed that all fiber optic connections have been shut down. Internet via mobile data remains available. Provincial officials said a domestic alternative would be developed for essential needs, but service providers warn such a system could take months or years.
The ban is the first of its kind since the Taliban took power in 2021. The group has already barred girls from secondary schools, blocked women from most jobs, and imposed restrictions on the media.
The disconnection has disrupted daily life. Government offices, banks, customs, universities, and media outlets had digitized their systems years ago and now face major setbacks. Businesses and schools that relied on high-speed fiber are also affected.
Digital rights observers warn that women and girls will be hit hardest. Many had turned to online education and remote work after being barred from schools and offices. The new restrictions cut off those options.
Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad called the measure “absurd.” He said if pornography was the concern, the Taliban could use filters, as other Muslim countries do.
The Taliban have steadily expanded morality rules. Last year, leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a code requiring women to cover their faces, men to grow beards, and drivers to stop playing music. In August 2024, the group also ordered a ban on images of living beings, though many Taliban officials themselves ignore the rule.
The latest internet ban has sparked alarm among Afghan social media users, who say the shutdown threatens to cause deeper damage than past restrictions.
