The Taliban government in Afghanistan has issued a nationwide ban on smartphone use by civil servants, according to a military court order seen by Reuters. The directive, which applies to all officials in military and civilian institutions, including judges, takes effect on June 16. Violators will have their cellphones smashed and face punishment under the law, the order stated.
Ban Details and Immediate Impact
The Taliban administration did not respond to a request for comment on the order. However, government employees reported that the restriction has already disrupted official work. One employee noted, "The impact has been so significant that many administrative processes have effectively come to a halt, because most official work was previously carried out through mobile phones, WhatsApp, and email." At least one provincial authority, the governor of Panjshir province, announced immediate implementation of the ban inside all its offices.
Rights Activists Warn of Information Restrictions
Rights activists have warned that the move could further restrict access to information in Afghanistan, where media freedoms have already been curtailed under Taliban rule. The ban extends to all state employees, potentially isolating them from digital communication tools essential for modern governance.
