The Taliban government has begun the process of collecting and destroying smartphones in defacto offices. Photo: Social media
June 17, 2026
Kabul—The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) condemns the Taliban authorities’ recent order prohibiting government employees from using smartphones, a move that further restricts journalists’ access to information and undermines press freedom. This measure appears to be part of a broader effort by the de facto Taliban government to tighten control over communication channels and suppress independent reporting.
Sources within Kabul and several provinces reveal that on June 8, 2026, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada directed defacto’s provincial governors and security officials to ban smartphone use among government personnel. Following this directive, military courts and provincial administrations have held meetings to implement the measure across multiple regions, including Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Logar, Balkh, Kandahar, Baghlan, Badghis, Badakhshan, Herat, Helmand, and Ghazni.
The restriction is part of a broader crackdown on digital communication. Following the Taliban’s 2024 ban on images depicting living beings—already officially announced in 25 out of 34 provinces—smartphone use for social media and messaging platforms such as Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and WhatsApp has surged and become essential for information sharing. The new ban risks cutting off crucial communication channels, particularly for journalists and media outlets that depend on smartphones for reporting, sourcing, and disseminating news.
A local journalist in Khost told AFJC that since the enforcement began last week, the press release from provincial de facto governor office and several local department have become stopped, as previously shared via WhatsApp groups. Similarly, a reporter from te de facto Bakhtar News Agency reported that the agency’s head, Hidayatullah Hidayat, issued a directive on June 11, urging journalists to switch to email communication if the smartphone ban remains in effect.
AFJC strongly condemns this latest restriction, which exacerbates the Taliban’s ongoing suppression of press freedom and access to information. Such measures violate the fundamental rights of citizens to seek and receive information—rights protected under international standards and essential for a functioning democracy. The prohibition on smartphone use especially hampers journalists’ ability to work safely and effectively, fueling further constraints on independent reporting and transparency.
In an era driven by technology and artificial intelligence, the Taliban’s attempt to restrict digital communication registers as regressive and dangerous. AFJC urges the Taliban government to revoke these restrictions immediately and respect the rights of Afghan citizens and journalists to access information without fear of censorship or repression.