Taliban Blocks Social Media Access in Multiple Afghan Provinces

Taliban Blocks Social Media Access in Multiple Afghan Provinces
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The Taliban has imposed new internet restrictions in Afghanistan, blocking access to major social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, across several provinces. Residents in Kabul, Parwan, Balkh, Samangan, and Faryab reported that they can now access social media only through VPNs, while apps like Snapchat are reportedly inaccessible.

The measures follow a broader internet shutdown that began in Balkh on September 15, 2025, and later expanded to Kandahar, Uruzgan, Helmand, Nimroz, Baghlan, Ghazni, Parwan, Nangarhar, and Herat. Sources within the Taliban indicated that the decision was ordered directly by leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, despite some internal opposition.

Officials attempted to discuss the policy in Kandahar, but reports suggest the fiber-optic internet shutdown is permanent. The Taliban has not publicly explained the rationale behind the restrictions, marking another step in tightening control over digital communication and information access in Afghanistan.