Afghans Abroad Struggle to Connect Amid Internet Blackout

Afghans living abroad are facing heightened anxiety as a Taliban-imposed internet blackout severely limits communication with their families back home. Since the blackout began on Monday, internet connectivity in Afghanistan has plummeted to less than one percent of normal levels, according to internet governance watchdog Netblocks. The Taliban’s directive, which will remain in effect “until further notice,” exacerbates an already dire humanitarian situation in one of the world’s poorest countries.

The blackout is particularly distressing for individuals like Mehdi, a 29-year-old restaurant worker in Pakistan. He has been unable to reach his mother, sisters, and brothers despite multiple attempts to call them. “I don’t know how they survive and how they live,” he shared with AFP. The inability to communicate also complicates his efforts to send financial support to his family, heightening concerns about their wellbeing.

Impact on Families and Human Rights

The Taliban’s leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has enforced the blackout as part of a broader strategy to combat what authorities label as “vice.” This measure significantly restricts access to social media, limits educational opportunities for women, and censors the media. The United Nations has characterized the situation as “very dire” with “serious human rights ramifications,” underscoring the potential long-term effects on the Afghan population.

“Nooriya Qaderi,” a 59-year-old Afghan refugee in New Delhi, expressed her family’s anxiety, stating, “Because of these problems I can’t talk to my family… everyone is worried.” Similarly, Khwaja Zamiruddin, a 34-year-old restaurant manager in India, lamented the difficulties of communication and the challenges of sending money home. “There are so many challenges. No one knows how long the blackout will go on for,” he remarked.

Global Concerns and Future Implications

Internet access in Afghanistan was previously expanding, with approximately 13.2 million people connected at the start of 2025, representing around 30.5 percent of the population, according to DataReportal. Social media users numbered approximately 4.05 million. The abrupt cut in connectivity raises questions about the implications for the population’s access to information, education, and financial resources.

Rahimullah Habiboghli, a young Afghan who moved to France five years ago, pointed out the absurdity of the situation. “I can’t believe it. It cannot last; it’s just not possible. No country in the world is completely cut off from the internet,” he stated. As the founder of an organization dedicated to promoting education in Afghanistan, he has relied on raising funds to support his initiatives, a practice now jeopardized by the blackout.

Previously, in 2024, the Afghan government had promoted its extensive 9,350-kilometre (5,800-mile) fibre optic network as a significant achievement for connecting the country to the global community. Habiboghli criticized the Taliban’s actions, suggesting they aim to keep the population uninformed, which could help maintain their grip on power.

As concerns continue to mount, the international community watches closely, recognizing the profound impact of the Taliban’s decision on millions of Afghans at home and abroad.