Taliban Bans Smartphones for Afghan Officials, Threatens Sharia Punishment and Phone Destruction
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 18
Taliban Bans Smartphones for Afghan Officials, Threatens Sharia Punishment and Phone Destruction
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 18
Summary
A Taliban directive taking effect this week bars Afghan government officials, fighters and service staff from using smartphones, with violators facing smashed devices and legal or sharia punishment.
The order appears driven by two concerns: officials using phones to leak documents and recordings before approval, and Taliban claims that smartphone use is hurting workplace productivity.
Herat protests after women and girls were arrested over “improper hijab” added urgency, as videos of Taliban forces allegedly firing into crowds and killing at least two people spread online.
Implementation is already uneven: sources say some areas target only officials, while others extend restrictions to women, civilians, teachers, students and medical workers, raising fears of a wider ban.
The move follows broader Taliban efforts to curb connectivity after a two-day internet blackout last September disrupted commerce, banking, emergency services and aviation.
Is the Taliban's smartphone ban on officials a trial run for a complete digital blackout across Afghanistan?
Beyond stopping leaks, does the smartphone ban reveal a hidden power struggle fracturing the Taliban from within?
Taliban’s 2026 Smartphone Ban: Escalating Digital Repression and Its Impact on Afghan Governance and Society
Overview
In June 2026, the Taliban leadership imposed a sweeping smartphone ban on its members, government employees, and public institution staff, following a verbal order from the supreme leader. This move, building on earlier restrictions, marks a significant escalation in controlling technology and information. The ban immediately disrupted communication, making it harder for the public and media to access information, and is seen as part of a broader strategy to restrict freedom of expression and tighten internal control. The policy highlights the Taliban’s intent to centralize authority and limit the flow of information within Afghanistan.