Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government has issued a directive banning the use of smartphones by civil servants and members of the armed forces, a move regarded by some analysts as a possible precursor to broader restrictions on mobile phone use across the country. The ban took effect Wednesday and is enforced by Afghanistan’s highest court, which provided no formal explanation for the order.

According to multiple government employees, police officers, and teachers across several provinces, the ban is being actively implemented. Those found using smartphones at work face harsh penalties, including the destruction of their devices and potential legal and sharia-based punishments. Videos circulating on social media show officials and security personnel complying by smashing their phones, citing obedience to the order issued by the Taliban’s supreme leader, Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada, who authorized the ban following consultations with religious scholars and judiciary figures.

Government agencies, which had heavily relied on WhatsApp and mobile communication to maintain operations amid economic isolation and ongoing conflict, are scrambling to adjust by reverting to traditional cellular calls. Some employees have reported local variations in enforcement, with certain areas extending the ban beyond government officials to include women, civilians, medical workers, schoolteachers, and students, according to sources within Afghanistan.

The Taliban’s restrictions on digital communication build on prior measures aimed at regulating public morality and controlling the flow of information. This includes last September’s two-day nationwide internet blackout, reportedly intended to curb “immoral behavior” online. Officials involved in the recent smartphone ban cited concerns about the spread of pornography, corruption, and leaks of sensitive information. The use of smartphones to photograph official documents and record meetings, which are sometimes leaked before formal approval, appears to be a significant concern for the regime.

Observers note that the timing of the ban may also relate to recent social unrest, such as demonstrations in the western city of Herat following arrests for “improper hijab,” during which Taliban forces reportedly fired on protestors, resulting in multiple deaths. Videos from these events circulated widely on social media, raising alarms within the Taliban leadership and potentially influencing tighter controls on communication devices.

Some government employees suggest that restrictions on smartphone use within offices have been in place in certain provinces for months, though enforcement has become increasingly strict. Analysts emphasize that while concerns about productivity and information leaks are common worldwide, the Taliban’s approach—demanding outright bans rather than regulated use—is unusually severe.

The government has not publicly commented on the ban, and Taliban spokespersons have remained unreachable. Observers continue to monitor whether the ban on smartphones within official institutions will extend to a broader prohibition affecting the general population.