On Wednesday, the Associated Press (AP) withdrew a story that misrepresented Taliban officials who refuted claims about the intentional shutdown of internet access in Afghanistan.
This incorrect report stemmed from WhatsApp messages that were mistakenly treated as authoritative statements from the Taliban without adequate verification.
Reports indicate that Taliban officials cut fiber optic cables in several regions in mid-September. By Sunday, internet connectivity in Afghanistan had plummeted to nearly zero, leading to significant operational challenges for humanitarian efforts and UN teams. The state of mobile phone access has also worsened dramatically.
A source from the Taliban suggested that the blackout was directed by Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, referencing “recent research” indicating that the internet was undermining the “economic, cultural, and religious foundations of society.”
Afghanistan’s already fragile economy has come to a standstill, heavily dependent on the internet for trade. Kabul’s airport is effectively closed. The UN has urged for an immediate restoration of internet and mobile services, warning that the outage “poses a serious risk to the Afghan population, threatening economic stability and worsening one of the most severe humanitarian crises worldwide.”
When limited internet access was reinstated on Wednesday, the AP stated, “What was claimed as a Taliban statement denies that the blackout was intended and asserts that old fiber optic cables have been replaced.”
The AP subsequently retracted its findings, clarifying that it was based on WhatsApp communications in a chat group the Taliban uses with Pakistani journalists.
The AP explained, “The incorrect statement was forwarded as a distinct message to select group members rather than posted in the group itself. It originated from an Afghan user with a name closely resembling the official Media WhatsApp group title.”
It also noted that the senders have since gone silent, and their identities couldn’t be confirmed. The same information was shared on the social platform X, but it came from an account managed by Taliban sympathizers, not the Taliban.
The AP further pointed out that the Taliban in Afghanistan were unable to reach out to them for clarification due to the very same internet disruption.
Eventually, the Taliban did release an official statement about the internet cut, stating that “cell phone services are being restored gradually.”
Zabihullah Mujahid, the official spokesperson for the Taliban, expressed frustration with foreign media citing statements not disseminated through official channels.
He commented, “The AP’s justification for blocking the internet is inaccurate and wrongly attributed to me,” urging the media to act responsibly and professionally. “Any statement worth announcing will come from my office, not a foreign channel,” he added.
Locals in Kabul and other Afghan cities remarked to foreign reporters that by Wednesday evening, internet and mobile access had mostly returned.
According to a left-leaning publication, the government’s assertion regarding the lack of public communication from the Taliban contributed to the public’s confusion and outrage.
Similarly, the BBC reported that while the internet was offline, a wave of anxiety swept across the populace, followed by celebrations when connectivity resumed.
“It’s like Eid al-Adha. It’s like preparing for prayer. We’re overjoyed,” exclaimed a delivery driver.
The BBC also highlighted that the internet blackout was particularly troubling for those who had fled Afghanistan during the Taliban’s takeover.
