# Why Afghans Are Smashing Their Smartphones

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-06-18 18:07 UTC · Category: World

## Executive Summary
Afghan civil servants and soldiers are destroying their phones after the Taliban announced a ban on smartphones.

## Intelligence Brief
Afghan officials are visibly destroying smartphones after the Taliban announced a ban on the devices for civil servants and military personnel. The Guardian and The New York Times reported the ban and footage of officials smashing phones; CTV highlighted staff abandoning phones as “heartbreaking.” The Kabul Tribune noted the Taliban rejected reports of a budget for the ban, calling them baseless, while Newser examined why Afghans are smashing their smartphones.


Coverage may next focus on how the ban is enforced, whether other groups face similar restrictions, and any further official clarification about funding or policy details.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| thekabultribune.com | Taliban Reject Reports of Budget for Smartphone Ban, Call Them Baseless | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiT0FVX3lxTE9Wa3d2N1drcVBUUUtsQWxtcnUxemlBRnBneF94TktEMmxrTkx3Z19WM0ZDYm9LZ202bkVSVXAxV2lfTzJHN2NiU01NUURTOWc?oc=5) |
| CTV News | ‘Heartbreaking’: Afghan government staff abandon smartphones following Taliban order | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuwFBVV95cUxNNUdoWlVrX0ROd01NTTZlYjJYa0dXSHJPdjRhZFlVdEVWZW0yLW9wYzlDcVRNNXdRN1lkWHE5VGdpTlhCRXkwNjA3ODFtNnd0N0djUHp4NFpLZWpLT0VfblQ2am1FOGk4VHYtR0N6MEZLZGs5MU9VNHhOZkV1MFJVY2w1SXZpekhFazB0dGExdVFWVENVWnFWVGd4aWhTaTdHNWk0Z0lxUUhQSDBYc0JMM2Z6S044a0lxcWJF?oc=5) |
| The Guardian | Taliban order ban on smartphones as officials shown destroying devices | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxOb3JfZkhhYVp6aEw0Z01LWGJOVEVkUjlQaWVFVS10SlRnLWhQNm9BNVpZcnpqM0N2OWNNSzVYOUROWE50X3VreTNENmExdk5DempINjNkM0tiTENXZlhWWG9sempaV01saldnQ3puVTM4Z0l0TDg4UTQ1ZHphWjg3bEJNSTZkY0dIdzJZOE1kbkx3eU50RmtZem9vTV84M01ITjdGTzVMWlFEM2prT1ctR2k4Yk9tenRX?oc=5) |
| The New York Times | Afghanistan Issues Ban on Smartphones for Civil Servants and Military | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMijgFBVV95cUxNR2c0NF9IbXl1QlNCREIyRkJoV09wNDgwcU0wdWo1cVRpdDgtTXBpc0xvTl9NOTF3c0J1ZWhlRjl3ZmVpaVFHODJrdnVnMjIwVHd2TlZTc3N2VFlWNEl5b09Bd3FNRnRmXzc0eDgzelRRc2R3c3l0dWt2S0cxV1NwY3BhZ0NUWXhsWWJuRXln?oc=5) |
| Newser | Why Afghans Are Smashing Their Smartphones | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiwFBVV95cUxPZzRWcXA3QVZOUks2blZoUVhJY0xSNDZ0akZmbjlabHhkbFhxbEtNcjkzcEFNelNkUEJHXy1JekxzcGE2d2toXzlTZXJCWm40WjhjaGRFbVpFNFFQMHNnaXhVYUJVNjc0ZDZIeS1DRGFYQ2Nid3JjVnBiZUNrYTE0ZTJ5NUNuSUpyRHE0?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-06-18/why-afghans-are-smashing-their-smartphones*