Afghanistan was plunged into isolation on Monday as internet services were cut and mobile communications severely disrupted.
NetBlocks, a digital rights watchdog that monitors global connectivity, posted a graph on X showing that connectivity had plunged to zero, and said telecommunications were also affected.
“Afghanistan is in the midst of a total internet blackout as Taliban authorities move to implement morality measures, with multiple networks disconnected through the morning in a stepwise manner,” it said in the post.
The Taliban banned the internet during their last period in power, which ended in 2001. In recent weeks they have cut internet access in some provinces citing a need to combat “vice”, but this is the first time since they retook power in 2021 that the whole country has been cut off.
Afghans outside the country reported being unable to contact family and friends and international news organisations said they were unable to contact staff in Afghanistan. There were reports that flights into and out of Kabul airport have been cancelled.
Television channels operating from Afghanistan went offline following the nationwide disruption of internet and telecommunications services. The websites of many Afghan government ministries and departments can no longer be accessed, and Taliban related social media accounts have not been updated since the start of the internet blackout.
Internet service providers said they had cut off services “due to the decision and order of government authorities”.
