Afghanistan’s cellphone, internet services down, monitoring shows
Summary
Internet and cellphone services in Afghanistan were disrupted nationwide amidst Taliban-imposed restrictions, severely impacting connectivity and women's online economic activities.
Key Points
- Internet and mobile phone services across Afghanistan were largely cut off on Tuesday, with connectivity plummeting to around 1%.
- The Taliban administration has not provided an explanation but has previously expressed concerns over online content and morality, cutting fiber-optic links in provinces.
- Authorities have ordered a shutdown of 3G and 4G services, leaving only slower 2G internet operational for cell phones within a week.
- Women’s rights have been heavily curtailed by the Taliban, including bans on work and education, with many turning to the internet as a lifeline for economic activity.
