Afghan Journalists Condemn Taliban Ban on Smartphones for Government Employees

The Afghanistan Journalists Center has condemned the Taliban administration’s ban on the use of smartphones by government employees, warning that this decision seriously restricts journalists’ access to information. The organization stated that with the implementation of this order, the flow of information in several provinces has been disrupted, and some communication channels with the media have effectively been halted.

Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban administration, issued the directive on June 6 in a meeting with several governors in Kandahar, ordering the prevention of smartphone use by government employees and military personnel. According to released information, this directive has been communicated in provinces such as Paktia, Khost, Balkh, Kunduz, Herat, and Ghazni, with the enforcement process already underway in some offices.

Sources have confirmed that the scope of this ban now covers over 20 provinces, including Kandahar, Maidan Wardak, Panjshir, Bamyan, Sar-e Pol, Ghor, and Kabul. According to the directive, both military personnel and civilian employees are prohibited from using smartphones not only at work but also at home; violators will be referred to military courts.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center emphasized that this measure, alongside previous restrictions such as the ban on publishing live images, exemplifies increased pressure on the media and the continuation of policies curbing freedom of expression. Local journalists report that many local offices formerly shared information and news with the media via WhatsApp, but with this order’s implementation, this process has stopped in some areas.

While the Taliban leader has declared a complete ban on smartphone use, sources indicate that the order is applied unevenly, with senior officials continuing to use these devices. At least four sources stated that this restriction primarily targets ordinary military personnel and employees and does not include high-ranking officials.

Meanwhile, images circulated on social media show several Taliban forces breaking smartphones. Sources added that today has been set as the final deadline to discard these devices, a move that has heightened concerns about further restricting the flow of information within the country.