Thu, September 17, 2026
Kabul (Web Desk): The Taliban regime has resorted to countrywide internet shutdowns and digital blackouts as a way to limit the reach of critical voices and tighten control over public discourse.
The Afghan publication Hasht-e Subh states that these deliberate disruptions are intended to maintain a system of coercion while effectively silencing opposing viewpoints.
The report further claims that restricting internet access serves the purpose of concealing governance failures, hiding the details of violent activities, and limiting information about the alleged mistreatment of civilians.
Meanwhile, sources and international observers have also stated that the Taliban regime—already facing repeated governance challenges—has now resorted to a widespread “digital blackout,” involving disruptions to internet services in various parts of the country and strict limitations on access to social media platforms.
They argue that these measures are designed to restrict the flow of information and tighten control over public discourse.
Security and political analysts suggest that the primary motivation behind limiting internet access is to shield the authorities from scrutiny over administrative shortcomings, rising incidents of violence, and reported abuses affecting civilians.
In their view, such restrictions help prevent the dissemination of information that could portray the government in a negative light internationally.
The report further states that the resulting digital shutdown has severely disrupted access to information for Afghan citizens and journalists, effectively stifling independent expression.
International human rights bodies and digital rights organizations have expressed deep concern over these developments, warning that such actions constitute a serious violation of fundamental rights.
They also caution that under the cover of this blackout, there is a heightened risk of further deterioration in human rights conditions across the country.
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