Meta Platforms Presses Kill Switch on Taliban WhatsApp Accounts

After a couple of decade-long Afghan war against the United States, the Taliban, a Pashtun, and Islamic fundamentalist group, is re-establishing its presence in Afghanistan. Technology was a big savior for the fundamentalist group until a recent move by Meta Platforms, the metaverse-focused giant, leaving the Talibs in dire straits. NYC-based newspaper, The New York Times says, the company is blocking their access to social media app, WhatsApp.

WhatsApp Has Assisted The Taliban With Comms at Large

According to Habib Rahman Inqayad, a leader of a Taliban security team, social media applications are the only way to communicate for them. Reliance on the app has increased significantly after the U.S. left the country in 2021. NYT highlighted WhatsApp has fostered even the illiterates through its voice message feature. Moreover, strong 4G networks have enhanced communications using the internet.

The social media application has become an official channel of communication. From message dissemination to the lower level employees to Taliban operations including planning raids on Islamic State cells, resistance fighters, and criminal networks.

Shir Ahmad Burhani, a police spokesperson for the Taliban administration, told The New York Times, “If there were no WhatsApp, all our administrative and non-administrative work would be paralyzed.” A Talib army commander highlighted that they used WhatsApp to share images after attacking government outposts.

Mr. Inqayad bought fresh sims to make new WhatsApp accounts on the device to continue operations. He is a part of around 80 official groups on the app. He says his “entire life is on WhatsApp.” With communication being an integral element of an organization, Meta Platforms’ move has left the fundamentalist group thunderstruck.

Misery Prevails for Afghanistan 

Life after the war has not proven euphoric to the citizens exactly. Several people have fled the country to begin a new life away from the Taliban regime. Radio Free Europe, a U.S. government-funded media house, reported that many Afghans are seeking refuge in Russia.

However, immigration does not appear to be a cakewalk for them as refugees are seeing rising rejection cases in asylum extensions, mounting pressure for many to fly back home. Russia granted an average of 1,000 asylums annually between 2007 and 2011. The number has declined to 600 as of now. The reason for this isn’t clear but the ongoing war might be stirring such a scenario.

Afghans fear persecution or even death upon their return home. Many of them have worked for the government before the Taliban who have reportedly targeted the former officials for repression. A family explains in an application that death might be waiting for them if they return.

Visa delays in the U.S. are leading to a similar scenario. American non-profit news agency The Associated Press, highlights the situation is shattering hopes of Afghan refugees in Albania. Several are struggling to find a job while hoping to begin a new life. Moreover, government efforts to resolve immigration seem staved off.

Anurag is working as a fundamental writer for The Coin Republic since 2021. He likes to exercise his curious muscles and research deep into a topic. Though he covers various aspects of the crypto industry, he is quite passionate about the Web3, NFTs, Gaming, and Metaverse, and envisions them as the future of the (digital) economy. A reader & writer at heart, he calls himself an “average guitar player” and a fun footballer.