Taliban Disconnects Afghanistan From the Internet, Triggering Nationwide Communications Blackout
Posted on Oct 01, 2025 / World
In a sweeping move that has stunned residents and international observers alike, the Taliban regime has ordered a near-total shutdown of internet and mobile data services across Afghanistan, effectively severing the country from the digital world.
The blackout, imposed in stages over the past several days, has ground to a halt essential services, disrupted communications, and left millions without access to the outside world. Telecommunications and internet monitoring groups report that connectivity has dropped to less than 1 % of normal levels.
Taliban leadership has framed the shutdown as part of a moral campaign. They say it is intended to curb “immorality” and restrict access to online content they deem objectionable. In recent weeks, the regime had already banned fiber-optic and WiFi connections in certain provinces, including Balkh, citing similar motives. On September 29, Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada reportedly ordered an indefinite nationwide shutdown of internet infrastructure.
With mobile data and phone networks crippled, families, journalists, and businesses cannot communicate even within Afghanistan, let alone internationally. Airlines have reported cancellations and route confusion because essential flight data systems reliant on the internet are non-functional. Digital banking, payments and money transfers have been suspended or severely delayed.
Aid and medical services, many of which rely on digital coordination, are hindered at a time when eastern provinces are already recovering from a major earthquake.
The blackout disproportionately affects women and girls, many of whom depend on online learning, especially under Taliban restrictions on in-person schooling. Independent news outlets cannot publish or broadcast reliably. Foreign media bureaus are unreachable, and local journalists are effectively silenced.
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