US Edition
Watchdog Says Taliban Restricting Social Media In Afghanistan Days After Internet Blackout
The Taliban imposed social media restrictions after a 48-hour blackout, affecting over 4 million users and disrupting mobile access across Afghanistan, watchdog NetBlocks said.
- NetBlocks said on October 8 that Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat faced intentional restrictions on multiple Afghan providers, with users unable to access these platforms without a filter breaker since Tuesday afternoon.
- A nationwide shutdown began on September 29 and lasted nearly 48 hours before services were restored on October 1; Taliban authorities had earlier cut fiber-optic internet in several provinces citing concerns about 'immorality'.
- Filters applied by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology restricted content on Facebook, Instagram and X, BBC Afghan sources said, primarily impacting mobile networks and some fixed-lines.
- Two-Day blackout disrupted businesses, flights and emergency services, while DataReportal reported 13.2 million had internet access and around 4.05 million used social media.
- No official comment has been issued by the Taliban government, which has not responded to requests for comment while watchdogs and AFP blamed the restrictions on them.
33 Articles
33 Articles
Associated Press News
Taliban internet and social media restrictions violate Afghan rights, U.N. experts say
U.N. experts say that Taliban restrictions on the internet and social media violate Afghan rights. Afghanistan experienced a 48-hour internet blackout from Sept. 29 that coincided with a morality drive imposed by the Taliban leader, who had earlier ordered fiber-optic services to be cut in several p
Afghan mobile access to social media restricted
KABUL - Access to several social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, has been “intentionally restricted” in Afghanistan, an internet watchdog said on Wednesday, a week after a 48-hour telecommunications blackout in the country.
Afghan mobile access to Facebook, Instagram intentionally restricted: watchdog
Access to several social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, has been "intentionally restricted" in Afghanistan, an internet watchdog said Wednesday, a week after a 48-hour telecommunications blackout in the country.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 38% of the sources are Center, 37% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
