Taliban ban smartphones for officials, citing productivity and leaks

Reports from within Afghanistan suggest the implementation of these bans is inconsistent, with some areas targeting only officials while others extend the restrictions to women, civilians, medical workers, and students. Analysts suggest this could be a precursor to broader, population-level restrictions as the Taliban tests the waters.

This move follows a two-day internet blackout in September, which authorities vaguely justified as a measure against pornography. That cutoff caused significant disruption to commerce, emergency services, and aviation, leading to its swift reversal. The current smartphone ban appears to be driven by multiple factors, including concerns about eroding productivity among officials and preventing internal leaks of sensitive information.

In Herat province, government employees have reported similar bans being in place for months, with phones being confiscated and smashed. The Taliban's approach to these issues, such as restricting smartphone use, is seen as unique compared to other countries facing similar challenges with productivity and information dissemination.