Restoration of Internet Access in Afghanistan Post-Taliban Shutdown

Tue Oct 21 2025 23:00:14 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

After a two-day blackout imposed by the Taliban, internet and telecom services are being restored in Afghanistan, raising concerns about the future of women's rights and local businesses.

Following a nationwide internet shutdown by the Taliban, which disrupted communications and raised fears for women's rights, services are now being partially restored. The Taliban had claimed the blackout was for 'the prevention of vices', but it left the nation's economy and humanitarian response in jeopardy.

Internet and telecom services are being restored in Afghanistan after a nationwide shutdown by the Taliban government provoked widespread condemnation.

Local reporters said communications were resuming across provinces while internet monitor Netblocks stated that live network data was showing a partial restoration of connectivity.

The 48-hour blackout disrupted businesses and flights, limited access to emergency services, and raised fears about further isolating women and girls whose rights have severely eroded since the Taliban swept to power in 2021.

The Taliban have not given an official explanation for the shutdown.

However, last month a spokesperson for the Taliban governor in the northern province of Balkh said internet access was being blocked for the prevention of vices.

Since coming to power, the Taliban have imposed numerous restrictions in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.

Afghan women have reported that the internet has become a lifeline to the outside world since girls over the age of 12 were banned from education. Employment opportunities for women have also been severely restricted; in September, books written by women were removed from universities.

Following the shutdown on Monday, the United Nations commented on the situation, indicating it left Afghanistan nearly entirely cut off from external communication. They warned that this could have dire consequences, threatening economic stability and exacerbating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.