Afghanistan

Taliban enforces social media restrictions with filters: The Taliban government applied filters to control content on major online platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X, as part of broader measures to monitor and limit digital freedom.

Social media restrictions imposed: Restrictions were imposed on popular social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, and Snapchat, following the internet shutdown.

Nationwide internet ban reversed: The nationwide internet ban was reversed without any official explanation.

Nationwide internet shutdown ordered by Taliban leader: Hibatullah Akhundzada ordered a nationwide internet shutdown until further notice, stating the internet was unnecessary and had been banned by Mullah Omar with good results, under the pretext of preventing 'misuse of internet' and 'immoral acts'.

Internet connection cut in Nangarhar: Director of Information Sediqullah Quraishi confirmed that internet connection was cut in Nangarhar province.

Taliban leader banned fiber-optic and Wi-Fi services in several provinces: Supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a ban on fiber-optic network and Wi-Fi services in Balkh, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul, and Nimruz provinces to 'prevent immorality', with intentions to apply it nationwide.

Taliban announced plans to restrict/block Facebook: The Minister of Communications, Najibullah Haqqani, stated the ministry had a plan to limit or entirely block access to specific social platforms, including Facebook.

Ministry of Virtue ordered female journalists to cover faces: The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (MPVPV) issued an order requiring all female journalists and TV presenters to cover their faces while on air, citing it as a 'religious order'.

Taliban's GDI instructed media to refrain from 'false news and baseless rumors': The General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) became closely involved in controlling media affairs and output, treating media as a security threat.

Taliban issued eight 'Religious Guidelines': These guidelines included prohibitions on screening films or television programs 'against Islamic or Afghan values'.

Taliban regained control of government: Strict enforcement of Islamic Sharia law principles regarding content intensified. While not banning the internet entirely, the Taliban began banning certain applications like TikTok and imposing media restrictions.

Law on Protection of Child Rights approved by Afghan MPs: Defined boys and girls under the age of 18 as children and aimed to prohibit misuse and abuse of children, including Bacha Bazi and recruitment as soldiers. Its applicability under the Taliban is limited.

Cybercrime Law signed by President Ashraf Ghani: Criminalized online activities including hacking, spreading ethnic hatred, online defamatory speech, exposing government secrets, and cyber-terrorism. Provisions against 'publishing, distributing, or possessing obscene materials' are relevant.

Public Media Law signed by President Ashraf Ghani: This law, enacted in accordance with the Constitution and international human rights, aims to ensure freedom of thought and expression and regulate media activities, prohibiting content contrary to Islam or harming moral health.

Age Assessment Guidelines for ANSF: Guidelines for the Afghanistan National Security Forces (ANSF) defined a child as every human being below the age of 18.

YouTube unblocked: YouTube was unblocked after being filtered in response to an insulting film about the Prophet Muhammad.

Afghan government closed internet cafes: Internet cafes providing 'immoral content' to users were closed by the Afghan government.

Media Law decreed by President Hamid Karzai: Included a ban on content contrary to Islam and other religions, slanderous material, matters contrary to the Constitution or criminal law, and exposure of victims' identities.

Legal control of '.af' domain: Afghanistan was given legal control of the '.af' domain, and AFGNIC was established to administer domain names. The Acceptable Use Policy for '.af' prohibits pornographic materials.

Internet officially available: Internet officially became available during the presidency of Hamid Karzai, after the fall of the first Taliban regime.