Taliban shut down Afghanistan’s internet and mobile networks nationwide on Sept. 29, 2025, citing enforcement of Islamic law, causing widespread disruption.

Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have imposed a nationwide communications blackout, shutting down internet and mobile services across the country, according to internet watchdog Netblocks and news reports. Connectivity dropped to less than one percent of normal levels, with AFP losing contact with its Kabul bureau around 5:45 pm local time on September 29, 2025. The shutdown, described as comprehensive and intentional, followed weeks of gradual restrictions, including the severing of fiber optic connections in multiple provinces. The Taliban cited the need to prevent "vice" and enforce Islamic law, though no alternative communication systems were immediately implemented. The disruption affects banking, customs, government operations, and daily life, marking the first total blackout since the group regained power in 2021. No timeline for restoration has been announced.