KABUL — The Taliban government in Afghanistan has imposed a ban on smartphone use by government officials and military personnel, with violators facing destruction of devices and potential punishment, according to a military court order.
The directive, issued by Afghanistan's highest court and attributed to Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, prohibits officials from using smartphones at work or bringing them into government offices, effective in mid-June. It applies to civil servants, judges, military members and staff across institutions.
Reports indicate the ban took effect around June 16-22 in various provinces, with enforcement varying by location. In some areas, officials have been shown publicly destroying smartphones to comply.
The order states that violators will have their phones smashed and could face legal and Sharia-based punishment, with exemptions requiring written approval from the supreme leader. Government representatives have not publicly commented on the reasons for the measure.
Civil servants, police officers and education professionals in multiple provinces confirmed the ban's implementation, according to reports from Reuters, The New York Times and local sources. Enforcement appears ad-hoc in some regions, with occasional extension to civilians, teachers or students.
Rights activists have expressed concern that the restriction could further limit access to information and communication in the country, though Taliban authorities have not detailed the policy's rationale.
This follows previous guidance from Akhundzada in 2025 urging reduced smartphone use among Taliban members. The current directive was circulated through military courts and security channels across eight zones.
A local Taliban official in one province was recorded instructing staff, including teachers, that smartphones would be banned during work hours, with violators referred to military courts.
As of Thursday, the ban remained in effect for government personnel, with reports of ongoing enforcement in provinces including Kandahar, Khost and Paktia. Details on nationwide compliance and any broader application were not immediately clear, as independent verification in all areas is limited.
Taliban officials did not respond to requests for further comment.
