Censoring by Cutting Fiber, Not Apps

Updated: 2025.10.03 18D ago 3 sources
The Taliban shut off fiber‑optic internet in Balkh, disabling Wi‑Fi for homes, offices, and institutions while keeping mobile data on. This illustrates a shift from content/app blocking to selective infrastructure control that removes high‑capacity, harder‑to‑monitor connections yet preserves a surveillable, lower‑bandwidth channel. — It highlights a scalable censorship tactic regimes could copy to police morality and politics while limiting economic harm, raising urgent digital‑rights and governance questions.

Sources

Thwarted Plot To Cripple Cell Service In NY Was Bigger Than First Thought
BeauHD 2025.10.03 55% relevant
That idea highlights infrastructure‑level disruption to control communication; this article shows a different vector (SIM‑farm text floods) to achieve similar outcomes—blackouts of cellular service and 911—underscoring why perimeter infrastructure matters more than app‑level policies.
Afghanistan Hit By Nationwide Internet Blackout As Taliban Cuts Fiber Optic Cables
BeauHD 2025.09.29 95% relevant
The report says the Taliban severed fiber connections and cut off internet, mobile, and satellite services nationwide as a 'morality' measure—an escalation of the same infrastructure‑level tactic previously used regionally in Afghanistan.
Taliban Leader Bans Wi-Fi In an Afghan Province To 'Prevent Immorality'
BeauHD 2025.09.16 100% relevant
Spokesman Haji Attaullah Zaid said leader Hibatullah Akhundzada ordered a 'complete ban' on cable internet in Balkh 'to prevent immorality,' with mobile internet still functional.
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