When the Taliban controlled Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, before the American invasion they outright banned the use of the internet under the pretext “to stop access to vulgar, immoral and anti-Islamic material”. Today, however, they are using sophisticated messaging campaigns across social media to win control over Afghan information spaces and placate technologically savvy, urban-based populations. According to an analysis by The New York Times, more than 100 new accounts and pages, either claiming to belong to the Taliban or supporting their mission, have been introduced since Aug. 9 on Twitter and Facebook.
As the Taliban continues to exploit digital spaces to promote its propaganda and exert control. Many Afghans fear internet surveillance, censorship and question if and how the Taliban will restrict internet access, although its ability to impose a model similar to the Chinese type of digital authoritarianism is limited.
Nevertheless, we do not believe they should be banned. After taking Kabul, the Taliban pledged to create a stable government and not to harm the “life, property, and honor” of citizens. They even created an emergency hotline on WhatsApp for civilians to report violence, looting, or other problems. Facebook, WhatsApp’s owner, said it had blocked the number along with other “official Taliban channels”, adding that it was actively scanning group names, descriptions, and profile pictures on the messaging app to try to prevent the Taliban from using it. In response to the flood of pro-Taliban content, YouTube as well stopped the Taliban from using their platforms (citing US sanctions policies).
But experts in the region said that shutting them down was “absurd” and “unhelpful” at a time when the military group was in effect governing the country and citizens in Kabul were facing looting, panic, and chaos. While the Taliban have spoken of their desire to form a consensus government, a source close to the militant movement said the interim government now being formed would consist solely of Taliban members.
That said, we at OME hope the Taliban lives up to its assertions to protect freedom of speech whereas Chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has repeatedly said in recent days that media were free to report, citing a blanket amnesty his group has offered to those who worked with the United States or other Western nations.
