US EditionAfghan mobile access to Facebook, Instagram intentionally restricted ...
NetBlocks confirmed Taliban restrictions on Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat after a 48-hour blackout disrupted services and affected millions, including businesses and Afghan women.
- NetBlocks confirmed on October 8 that Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat were restricted in Afghanistan, saying `The restrictions are now confirmed on multiple providers, the pattern shows an intentional restriction`.
- On September 29, the Taliban‑led government cut fiber‑optic internet and cell service without warning, causing a nearly 48‑hour blackout restored on October 1; the shutdown followed earlier provincial cuts to combat 'immorality'.
- For Afghan women and girls the internet serves as a lifeline, but earlier this month they lost access to online classes and work as flights, banks and e‑commerce were disrupted.
- No official response has been issued to requests from AFP, and the Taliban‑led government has not officially commented on the two‑day blackout observers blamed on them.
- At the beginning of 2025, 13.2 million people had internet access in Afghanistan and around 4.05 million used social media, and critics say this fits a wider crackdown including bans on books by women and limits since 2022.
17 Articles
17 Articles
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.
Deutsche Welle
DNyuzAfghanistan restricts access to social media on smartphones
Access to Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat on mobile phones is currently restricted in Afghanistan. This comes after the Taliban cut internet and telecommunications services for two days last week.
In the country of 48 million inhabitants, Facebook has 4 million users and Instagram 1.3 million. After a national shutdown of the Internet last week, the Taliban authorities did not want to comment on these new restrictions.
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