Afghanistan’s telecom regulator contacted regional ISPs last week ordering them to block two popular messaging apps, Telegram and WhatsApp. Some users have reported trouble accessing the services, but it appears the order had little impact on accessibility. People have largely been able to use them without issue on private and state-run networks.
Sources have given varying explanations for the orders. A statement from the telecom regulator claimed the ban was temporary so that “a new kind of technology” could be tested and implemented to address citizens’ complaints about inefficiency. But others blamed the National Directorate for Security, which reportedly wanted to crack down on the Taliban’s use of encrypted messaging for secure communication.
