18.06.2026 17:00
The Taliban administration, which holds control in Afghanistan, has launched a new wave of oppression that has stunned the world. With a decision covering all civil servants and military personnel across the country, the use of smartphones has been completely banned. It has been announced that those who defy this new directive, aimed at severing ties with the technological world, will face severe penalties. Individuals caught carrying banned devices will have their phones smashed in front of their eyes as punishment.
The Taliban, which holds power in Afghanistan, has signed a radical decision covering all public employees and soldiers. According to the new regulation, government personnel are completely banned from using smartphones. It was announced that violators will have their devices confiscated, their phones will be shattered before their eyes, and they will be punished according to Sharia law.
THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS THE LEADER'S SPECIAL WRITTEN APPROVAL
According to a report by the British newspaper The Guardian, the ban, which came into effect as of this week, applies to all state officials regardless of rank or position. The only way to be exempt from this strict rule is through a personal and written approval from Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. After the announcement of the decision, a video circulating on social media showed a Taliban official reading the ban text from his mobile phone, while another person next to him was breaking confiscated phones one by one. No official statement has been made on the matter by the Taliban administration yet.
RESTRICTIONS ALSO EXTEND TO WOMEN AND STUDENTS
According to details in the report, the smartphone ban is not implemented with the same flexibility or severity in every region of the country. While in some areas the restriction remains limited to public personnel, it has been reported that in some cities and provinces the scope has been expanded, and similar bans have been imposed on women, civilians, healthcare workers, teachers, and students.
THE BAN AIMS TO PREVENT PROTESTS
Experts and analysts believe that behind this sudden smartphone ban lies the recent mass protests that erupted in the city of Herat. In Herat, the detention of women and girls on the grounds that they were "improperly wearing the headscarf" caused outrage, and people took to the streets. At least two people lost their lives when Taliban forces opened fire on the crowd during the demonstrations. It is noted that authorities are targeting devices with internet access to prevent the spread and organization of such social incidents via social media.
Taliban members anticipating this ban had started smashing their smartphones in front of cameras weeks ago.