Taliban warns of military court action for smartphone users

A newly obtained document indicates that Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has issued a verbal order banning the use of smartphones by Taliban members and government employees, with violators facing potential military court proceedings, Afghanistan International reports.

According to the document, the directive was circulated by the Taliban Justice Ministry to the heads of military courts operating under the military division of the Taliban Supreme Court across eight regions of Afghanistan. Police commanders and intelligence chiefs in those areas were also notified of the order.

The document describes individuals who fail to comply as offenders and warns that violations could result in prosecution before military courts. Military court officials have been instructed to ensure the ban is fully implemented and to provide assurances to Taliban leadership regarding its enforcement.

As part of the monitoring process, authorities have established a special oversight list containing the names, positions, workplaces, mobile network providers and phone numbers of individuals subject to the directive. Officials have also been ordered to verify that employees and personnel under their supervision are complying with the ban.

The move follows a series of previous Taliban restrictions on technology and media. The group has already imposed limitations on smartphone use and on the publication of images depicting living beings. In 2025, Akhundzada urged Taliban members to reduce their use of smartphones.

The latest measure comes shortly after another directive issued by the Islamic education department of the Taliban Education Ministry instructed students not to bring smartphones to schools or religious seminaries.

The Taliban’s higher education minister has also previously criticized smartphone use, describing smartphones as “one of the three main enemies of Muslims.” In October last year, he informed universities and educational institutions that smartphones were prohibited during working hours and on university premises, allowing only university presidents and heads of educational centers to bring smartphones to work.

By Vafa Guliyeva