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Taliban begins smashing smartphones under sweeping new ban
How 2 Israeli newsrooms covered this story — translated into English and compared side by side.
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First reported by Ynet · Jun 18, 2026
What happened
The Taliban is enforcing a wide smartphone ban for government workers and its members in Afghanistan, with confiscations and public phone-smashing reported. The restrictions are unevenly applied and in some areas have been extended to civilians, women, students, teachers and health workers.
- 01Taliban courts ordered smartphones smashed and offenders punished under Sharia and legal law.
- 02Enforcement has begun across Afghanistan, mainly targeting government staff and Taliban members.
- 03Some areas have also extended the ban to women, civilians, students, teachers and medical workers.
- 04A Herat official said authorities confiscated phones and smashed them after protests.
- 05Analysts say the regime fears leaks, protest videos and lower government productivity.
Summary translated & synthesized from the sources below by baba. Read each original for the full report.
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