NetBlocks confirmed that social media platforms Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat are now restricted on multiple providers in Afghanistan, with the incident following last week's telecommunications blackout and representing the latest internet censorship measures.</span

KabulNow

NetBlocks

NetBlocks confirmed that social media platforms Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat are now restricted on multiple providers in Afghanistan, with the incident following last week's telecommunications blackout and representing the latest internet censorship measures.

Taliban government sources told BBC Afghan that filters have been applied to restrict certain types of content on sites, including Facebook, Instagram and X, though the exact nature of the filtered posts remains unclear.

NDTV

Annapurna Post

Taliban government sources told BBC Afghan that filters have been applied to restrict certain types of content on sites, including Facebook, Instagram and X, though the exact nature of the filtered posts remains unclear.

Users in Kabul, Herat and other provinces reported difficulties accessing Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat since Tuesday evening, with many only able to reach these platforms using virtual private networks that allow users to bypass local restrictions.

Dw.Com

Users in Kabul, Herat and other provinces reported difficulties accessing Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat since Tuesday evening, with many only able to reach these platforms using virtual private networks that allow users to bypass local restrictions.

The disruption primarily affects mobile data networks operated by Afghan Wireless, Etisalat, and Salam, while some home and office connections remain functional, according to reports from users in the capital and northern cities.

The disruption primarily affects mobile data networks operated by Afghan Wireless, Etisalat, and Salam, while some home and office connections remain functional, according to reports from users in the capital and northern cities.

The Taliban previously cut internet and telecommunication services across Afghanistan for 48 hours from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, disrupting banking systems, government offices, hospitals, flights, and humanitarian aid activities nationwide.

RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty

The Taliban previously cut internet and telecommunication services across Afghanistan for 48 hours from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, disrupting banking systems, government offices, hospitals, flights, and humanitarian aid activities nationwide.

Just over half of Afghanistan's estimated population of 44 million has a mobile connection, according to GSMA, with the internet serving as a lifeline for women who lost their right to work and study following Taliban bans in 2022.

News Arena India

Just over half of Afghanistan's estimated population of 44 million has a mobile connection, according to GSMA, with the internet serving as a lifeline for women who lost their right to work and study following Taliban bans in 2022.

KabulNow #

NDTV #

Annapurna Post #

Dw.Com #

RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty #

News Arena India #

The Taliban's blackout of social media and internet access has plunged Afghanistan into digital isolation — silencing its people. By severing their last link to education, work, and the outside world, the regime is erasing female voices, dismantling livelihoods and deepening Afghanistan's descent into repression and despair.

The Taliban's blackout of social media and internet access has plunged Afghanistan into digital isolation — silencing its people. By severing their last link to education, work, and the outside world, the regime is erasing female voices, dismantling livelihoods and deepening Afghanistan's descent into repression and despair.

Time

Time #

How the Taliban's Internet Ban Sowed Fear in Afghanistan

Guardian

Guardian #2827

Afghanistan ‘blind without phones and internet’ on second day of telecoms blackout

While silencing ordinary Afghans online, the Taliban eagerly exploit social media to polish their image and tighten control. Their leaders tweet propaganda, run YouTube-endorsed content, and fund loyal influencers — all while banning citizens’ voices. The regime’s crackdown on public access isn’t rejection of social media; it is its weaponization.

While silencing ordinary Afghans online, the Taliban eagerly exploit social media to polish their image and tighten control. Their leaders tweet propaganda, run YouTube-endorsed content, and fund loyal influencers — all while banning citizens’ voices. The regime’s crackdown on public access isn’t rejection of social media; it is its weaponization.

The Walrus

The Walrus #

Why the Taliban Love Social Media

Amu TV

Amu TV #

How Taliban modernized their media, not their message

There is a 10% chance that the United States will recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There is a 10% chance that the United States will recognize the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan before 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Metaculus

Metaculus #

US recognize Taliban government by 2030

Wakil KOHSAR/AFP/Getty Images

Wakil KOHSAR/AFP/Getty Images

Taliban Restricts Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat in Afghanistan

Afghanistan

Computers & internet

Media

The Taliban's internet blackout isolates Afghanistan, severing access to education, work, and global connection while silencing dissent, especially women's voices. Yet the regime hypocritically weaponizes social media for propaganda — leaders tweet, run YouTube channels, and fund influencers. This isn't rejection of digital platforms but calculated control: suppressing citizens while exploiting these tools for manipulation and repression.

The Taliban's internet blackout isolates Afghanistan, severing access to education, work, and global connection while silencing dissent, especially women's voices. Yet the regime hypocritically weaponizes social media for propaganda — leaders tweet, run YouTube channels, and fund influencers. This isn't rejection of digital platforms but calculated control: suppressing citizens while exploiting these tools for manipulation and repression.

Global internet censorship is surging — 103 countries now restrict online access. From China's Great Firewall to Iran's protest blackouts, authoritarian regimes weaponize digital control. Yet democracies like Norway, Germany, and the UK quietly adopt similar measures through vague "safety" laws. The Taliban's tactics aren't unique; they mirror a worldwide assault on digital freedom, proving censorship transcends ideology when power seeks control.

Global internet censorship is surging — 103 countries now restrict online access. From China's Great Firewall to Iran's protest blackouts, authoritarian regimes weaponize digital control. Yet democracies like Norway, Germany, and the UK quietly adopt similar measures through vague "safety" laws. The Taliban's tactics aren't unique; they mirror a worldwide assault on digital freedom, proving censorship transcends ideology when power seeks control.

Taliban Restricts Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat in Afghanistan

Taliban Restricts Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat in Afghanistan

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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Taliban Restricts Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat in Afghanistan

Taliban Restricts Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat in Afghanistan

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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