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Taliban Bans Smartphones

WireByte Staff · July 10, 2026

Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have banned smartphones for government employees, judges, police, and military, threatening confiscation and punishment, disrupting a fragile support system for families and healthcare.

Key points

  • The Taliban has ordered government employees, judges, police, and members of the military to stop using smartphones under a directive that took effect June 16.
  • The ban threatens violators with confiscation, destruction of their devices, and unspecified punishment.
  • Smartphones have become a crucial part of Afghanistan's fragile support system, used for remote doctor consultations, transport arrangements, and schooling for girls and women.
  • The ban has already affected midwives like Farzana, who can no longer receive photos of newborns with rashes or skin infections, making it harder to provide urgent help.
  • The use of smartphones has been a vital tool for families to coordinate and access essential services, particularly in a country where WhatsApp is heavily relied upon for communication.

The Taliban's ban on smartphones has significant implications for Afghanistan's fragile support system. Families rely heavily on smartphones to consult doctors remotely, arrange transport to distant clinics, and access schooling that is no longer available in person to many girls and women. The ban has already affected midwives like Farzana, who can no longer receive photos of newborns with rashes or skin infections, making it harder to provide urgent help. The use of smartphones has been a vital tool for families to coordinate and access essential services, particularly in a country where WhatsApp is heavily relied upon for communication. The Taliban's directive has raised concerns about the impact on the country's already struggling healthcare system.

Sources

WireByte Staff — Editorial Team

The WireByte editorial team synthesises technology news from multiple primary sources, verifies the facts, and links every source. Articles are produced with AI assistance and reviewed under our editorial policy.