10.06.2026 00:40
As the Taliban administration in Afghanistan prepares to impose new restrictions on smartphone use, footage of group members smashing phones has sparked debate. However, the Taliban's reliance on WhatsApp for a significant portion of its administrative activities has led to criticism of the decision as a "major contradiction."
Striking footage was recorded in Afghanistan after documents emerged indicating that Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada imposed a smartphone ban on government employees and group members. In videos circulating on social media, some Taliban members were seen breaking their smartphones as a show of loyalty to the leadership.
SMARTPHONE BAN ON THE AGENDA
According to documents published by Afghanistan International, the Taliban leadership issued a new verbal instruction banning government employees and group members from using smartphones. It was stated that those who do not comply with the decision could be referred to a military court and that the implementation would be strictly monitored.
THEY SHOWED SUPPORT BY BREAKING THEIR PHONES
In images shared on social media following the ban, some Taliban members were seen supporting the decision by throwing their smartphones to the ground or smashing them. The footage quickly drew attention in international media as well.
WHATSAPP CONTRADICTION SPARKS DEBATE
The most discussed topic after the decision was that the Taliban administration has long conducted a significant portion of its official correspondence, instructions, and local coordination through smartphones, especially WhatsApp. For this reason, experts noted that the smartphone ban could cause serious problems in the group's daily operations.
RESTRICTIONS HAD BEEN IMPOSED BEFORE
In recent years, the Taliban administration had introduced various limitations on technology use. It is known that leader Hibatullah Akhundzada called on group members to reduce smartphone use in 2025 as well. Similar bans had also begun to be implemented for students in educational institutions.
IT BECAME A GLOBAL TREND
While the images of Taliban members breaking their phones were viewed millions of times on social media, many users evaluated the situation as a "symbolic protest against technology," while others interpreted the events as an "ironic scene" due to the group's dependence on digital communication tools.