The Taliban have imposed a ban on smartphones for government employees, military personnel, and judicial officials in Afghanistan, ordering destruction of devices and unspecified punishment for violators, with exemptions requiring personal approval from supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. The banformalized in a June 16 military court directivethreatens to disrupt critical services, as many Afghans rely on smartphones for urgent medical consultations, remote learning, abuse documentation, and financial coordination. Though the policy currently targets officials, its enforcement is expanding into hospitals and schools, raising fears of broader restrictions. The timing follows protests in Herat over womens dress code enforcement and the spread of violent incident footage online.
Original Article Source Link:
https://www.npr.org/2026/07/10/g-s1-132396/smartphones-taliban-afghanistan-ban