A new United Nations report warns of a realistic risk of repeated internet and telecommunications shutdowns in Afghanistan, following a nationwide blackout in September ordered by the Taliban.
The UN Women-led report states that while the 48-hour shutdown in late September disrupted digital access, most nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) still lack affordable backup systems to maintain operations should the Taliban cut connectivity again. Many emergency digital measures are costly and may even trigger retaliatory responses from Taliban authorities, the report says.
“There are realistic concerns about future internet and telecommunications blackouts,” the report says. “Yet most local NGOs lack cost-effective alternatives to sustain their activities. Emergency digital preparedness is expensive and requires donor support.”
From Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, 2025, the Taliban imposed a countrywide shutdown of internet and mobile networks, following intermittent cuts in several provinces beginning Sept. 16. The decision, which lacked official explanation, severely disrupted communications, banking, remittances, emergency services, airport operations and online education — further isolating Afghan women and girls who depend on digital access for learning, income and safety.
Earlier restrictions in Balkh province had been justified by the Taliban as efforts to “prevent immorality.” UN Women noted that the national blackout fueled misinformation and public anxiety amid a lack of verified information.
“The blackout deepened fear, isolation and misinformation,” the report said. “It also disrupted humanitarian services and programs focused on basic human needs, especially those targeting women and girls.”
The report calls on the international community to exert political pressure on the Taliban to prevent further restrictions on digital access and to fund contingency planning, including mobile response teams, offline encrypted data backups and coordination with agencies using independent internet systems.
Recommendations include applying political pressure through all available channels; supporting emergency preparedness planning; providing flexible funding for digital infrastructure; and facilitating connectivity by coordinating with international organizations using independent networks to minimize the risk of retaliation.
UN agencies are also urging service providers and NGOs to prepare for potential outages and to create emergency communication strategies to preserve critical operations. For many Afghans, however, the thought of reliving another blackout remains unthinkable.
“The internet shutdown in September caused enormous disruption — from banking and healthcare to government and NGO operations,” said one Kabul resident. “It’s something we can’t afford to go through again.”
Despite the impact, Taliban officials have yet to offer a clear explanation for the decision. The UN report concludes that without preparedness, the consequences of another blackout could be even more severe.
