Afghanistan has been thrust into a state of complete digital isolation as the Taliban government has severed fiber-optic connections, cutting off 40 million people from the digital world. The sudden blackout, which occurred on Monday evening, has left the country without internet access, with international news agencies reporting a total loss of contact with offices in Kabul. The Taliban’s justification for the move is to fight “immorality,” citing concerns over the spread of Western values and the potential for corruption through online content.
The blackout has had far-reaching consequences, with banking systems frozen, flights cancelled, and mobile internet dead. Satellite TV has also gone dark, and phone services are severely disrupted. The Taliban’s decision has been met with widespread criticism, with many Afghans and international observers expressing concern over the impact on the country’s economy, education system, and human rights.
The fiber-optic network, which was largely built by former US-backed governments, was touted as a priority to bring Afghanistan closer to the world and lift it out of poverty. However, the Taliban’s systematic destruction of internet infrastructure has now left the country in a state of digital darkness. The move has sparked fears of growing censorship and repression, with many experts warning of severe economic and social consequences.
The Taliban’s restrictions on internet access are part of a broader effort to impose their interpretation of Islamic law, with significant implications for Afghan citizens, particularly women and girls. The blackout has disrupted online education, business transactions, and communication with the outside world, exacerbating the country’s already dire humanitarian situation. As the situation stands, Afghanistan joins North Korea as one of the most digitally isolated countries in the world, with the Taliban showing no signs of restoring internet access “until further notice”.
