EU Parliament Member: Taliban Restrict Smartphones to Conceal Human Rights Abuses in Afghanistan
Hannah Neumann, a member of the European Parliament, has stated that the Taliban administration’s restrictions on smartphone usage aim to hide the reality of repression and human rights violations in Afghanistan. She emphasized that these limitations specifically target government employees and, in some areas, have involved the destruction of mobile devices.
On Friday, Ms. Neumann wrote on the X network that every video of women’s protests, every image of abuse, and every leaked order could weaken Taliban control. According to her, these concerns have driven the Taliban administration to restrict communication and digital tools.
She asserted: “This is about controlling information, hiding repression, and silencing opponents.” The European Parliament member believes that authoritarian regimes learn from each other and understand that controlling information means controlling power.
In recent days, videos have circulated on social media showing Taliban officials reading prohibition orders and, in some cases, breaking smartphones. Reports indicate this directive initially targets employees of government departments.
This move comes amid nearly five years of multiple reports highlighting widespread restrictions on freedom of expression, media, and civil activities in Afghanistan—an issue consistently criticized by human rights organizations and the international community.
