Kabul, Afghanistan
Reuters
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On Wednesday, the Taliban regime announced an internet ban spanning Swas in northern Afghanistan, “to prevent immoral activities.”
The Hardline Islamist movement has previously expressed concerns online about pornography and infidelity between men and women.
This is the first internet ban since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, but has announced other measures, including stopping girls and women working in many different fields.
The ban covers five states: Kunduz, Badakhshan, Baghlan, Baghlan, Takhar and Balkh, located north of the country that encompasses the population centers of the region.
The restrictions are limited to all internet connections via fiber optic cables, officials said. However, they said that internet access to mobile phone data will become available.
According to a statement from the state, all connections are blocked.
“This measure is being taken to prevent immoral activities,” the statement said, adding that alternatives will be provided to address important needs.
Fiber-optic disconnection leaves offices, homes and other businesses that are not connected to the internet.
Zarmey Khalilzad, former US ambassador to Afghanistan, said the ban was ridiculous.
“Like many Islamic countries, if porn is really a concern, it can be easily filtered out. Many countries in the Islamic world do just that,” he said.
The Taliban officially codified a long set of rules governing morality late last year. From demanding that women grow beards on faces and men, to ban car drivers from playing music.
The Taliban’s restrictions and freedom of expression on women have attracted acute criticism from rights groups and many foreign governments.
