The Taliban movement has introduced a large-scale ban on the use of smartphones for civil servants in Afghanistan. For violating the new rules, devices may be confiscated and destroyed, reports The Guardian, according to UNN.
Details
According to a directive from Taliban military courts, the ban applies to all employees of the state apparatus – from high-ranking officials to rank-and-file workers and maintenance staff.
The document states that anyone who uses a smartphone without special permission may be punished in accordance with Sharia laws and norms.
If someone uses a smartphone, their mobile phone will be smashed, and the violator will face legal and Sharia punishment
According to the publication, the restrictions are being implemented differently in various regions of the country. In some provinces, they apply only to civil servants, while in others, they affect women, teachers, students, and medical workers.
Analysts do not rule out that the current measures could be a preparation for a total ban on smartphones for the population of Afghanistan.
According to experts, the reasons for this decision include fears of internal information leaks, dissatisfaction with the use of social networks by officials, and a desire to limit the spread of video recordings of protests.
The Guardian reminds that the Taliban has previously attempted to restrict internet access in the country. In September last year, the authorities shut down the internet across Afghanistan for two days, explaining it as a fight against "immorality."
According to analysts, the current campaign may indicate the Taliban's desire to tighten control over the information space and further isolate the country from the outside world.
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