""Metrics show social media platforms Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat are now restricted on multiple providers in #Afghanistan," it posted on X on Wednesday. The Taliban had already banned access to TikTok back in 2022. Social media users first started commenting on the restrictions late on Monday, local broadcaster Ariana News reported. Some users were reporting a complete cut in access in certain areas, Ariana News said, while others had slow internet connections or intermittent service."
"A resident of the capital Kabul and a resident of Mazar-i-Sharif, a city in the north of the country, told German news agency dpa that they were unable to access Instagram and Facebook without VPNs. Virtual Private Networks allow users to bypass internet restrictions. Some social media platforms still accessible Several other social media platforms, such as WhatsApp and X, are reportedly still functioning, according to dpa."
"The Taliban has not officially confirmated the restrictions, several news agencies report. Just over half (51%) of Afghanistan's estimated population of 44 million have a mobile connection, according to GSMA, a global association for mobile phone operators. The Taliban completely suspended internet and telecommunications services for nearly 48 hours at the end of September. The suspension from September 29 to October 1 left the the country almost entirely cut off from the outside world."
Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat are restricted on multiple providers across Afghanistan, while TikTok has been banned since 2022. Users reported complete cuts in some areas, slow connections or intermittent service, and residents in Kabul and Mazar-i-Sharif said they could only access platforms via VPNs. Several platforms such as WhatsApp and X remain functioning for some users. AFP journalists in several provinces experienced inability to access social media and significantly slower speeds. The Taliban has not officially confirmed the restrictions. Approximately 51% of the population have a mobile connection. A near-total 48-hour internet suspension occurred from September 29 to October 1.
Read at www.dw.com
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