Taliban confirms restrictions on social media in Afghanistan
Restrictions have been imposed on social media platforms in Afghanistan, according to sources within the Taliban government speaking to BBC Afghan.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology sources stated that filters have been activated to limit specific types of content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X.
The exact nature of the restricted posts is unclear. Some social media users in Kabul reported that videos on Facebook were inaccessible, and there were limitations on accessing Instagram.
These restrictions on social media content follow a recent two-day nationwide internet and telecommunications shutdown, which caused significant disruptions and was met with relief upon its restoration.
The blackout impacted businesses, flights, emergency services, and raised concerns about further isolating women and girls, whose rights have been curtailed since the Taliban regained power in 2021.
Social media users across Afghanistan have been expressing concerns about restricted access to various platforms in different provinces.
A Taliban government source mentioned that controls have been implemented to limit certain content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X, with hopes that a complete internet ban would not be enforced.
The filtering measures appear to be widespread across the country, covering most provinces, although there has been no official explanation provided by Taliban officials for these restrictions.
According to cybersecurity organization NetBlocks, multiple service providers have confirmed restrictions, indicating a deliberate effort to control access. Social media platforms have been intermittently accessible on smartphones, as reported by the news agency AFP.
Individuals in different provinces have reported varying degrees of internet access issues, with one government office worker in Nangarhar province noting slow internet speeds and limited functionality on Facebook.
In Kandahar province, a business owner mentioned that while fibre optic internet was cut off, mobile data was operational, albeit with severe slowdowns on Facebook and Instagram.
The Taliban government has not offered a rationale for the recent total internet shutdown. However, in a previous instance, a Taliban governor spokesperson in Balkh province cited blocking internet access as a measure to prevent immoral activities.
Since assuming power, the Taliban have enforced numerous restrictions aligned with their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law, affecting women's education, job opportunities, and access to information.