Afghan mobile access to Facebook, Instagram restricted intentionally: Watchdog
AFP , Wednesday 8 Oct 2025
Access to several social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat, have been "intentionally restricted" in Afghanistan, internet watchdog Netblocks told AFP on Wednesday.
An Afghan vendor check his mobile in Kabul, as social media sites have been intermittently accessible on smartphones since Tuesday. AFP
Social media sites have been intermittently accessible on smartphones since Tuesday, AFP journalists reported, a week after a 48-hour nationwide internet and phone blackout was imposed by Taliban authorities.
"The restrictions are now confirmed on multiple providers; the pattern shows an intentional restriction," said NetBlocks, a watchdog organisation that monitors cybersecurity and internet governance.
The disruption is "primarily impacting mobile, with some fix-lines also affected".
AFP journalists in several provinces have been unable to access the social media platforms on their mobile phones, while internet speed is significantly slower than normal.
The Taliban government has not responded to requests for comment from AFP.
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