Taliban tighten grip on divorce, smartphones and daily life in Afghanistan

The Taliban’s five‑year rule over Afghanistan is marked by a series of policy shifts that tighten control over personal matters and technology. Senior officials within the movement say the group is now enforcing stricter criteria for divorce, making it harder for couples to separate without state approval. Women seeking to end a marriage must appear before a religious court, where judges weigh the request against traditional interpretations of Sharia law, often resulting in delayed or denied petitions.

At the same time, the regime is curbing the spread of smartphones and internet access. New regulations require users to register devices with local authorities, and the sale of certain brands is restricted in major cities. Authorities claim the measures are intended to protect citizens from “corrupting” foreign influences, yet critics argue they stifle communication and limit access to information. Reports indicate that mobile‑phone vendors now face regular inspections, and unregistered phones can be confiscated.

Control extends beyond family law and technology. The Taliban’s leadership has been reorganising local governance structures, placing loyalists in key administrative posts and expanding the presence of religious police. These forces monitor public behavior, enforce dress codes, and intervene in gatherings deemed un-Islamic. The changes are part of a broader effort to embed the group’s interpretation of Islamic law into everyday life, according to insiders.

Human‑rights observers note that the combined effect of these policies is a contraction of personal freedoms, especially for women and young people. While the Taliban argue that the steps preserve cultural values and social stability, many Afghans report growing anxiety over the loss of autonomy and the difficulty of navigating an increasingly regulated environment. The international community continues to watch how these internal reforms shape Afghanistan’s future trajectory.