EPISODE · Oct 3, 2025 · 12 MIN
How do you cut the internet for a whole country?
from What in the World · host BBC World Service
Afghanistan has just come out of an internet blackout, which paralysed businesses, banks and airports and cut people off from their friends and family. People in the capital Kabul celebrated in the streets when the Taliban government finally switched it back on. So what do we know about why it was shut down in the first place? And what impact did it have on women in the country, where the Taliban has banned girls over the age of 12 from receiving an education? Alia Rajai from the BBC’S Afghan Service explains.It’s not uncommon to hear about the internet being shut down for political reasons, like during elections, protests and times of civil unrest. Felicia Anthonio from Access Now, a non-profit organisation which campaigns for digital rights, tells us how common internet blackouts are around the world. Plus, Jacqui Wakefield, a BBC tech reporter breaks down how governments can turn off the internet.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Maria Clara Montoya and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
What this episode covers
Afghanistan has just come out of an internet blackout, which paralysed businesses, banks and airports and cut people off from their friends and family. People in the capital Kabul celebrated in the streets when the Taliban government finally switched it back on. So what do we know about why it was shut down in the first place? And what impact did it have on women in the country, where the Taliban has banned girls over the age of 12 from receiving an education? Alia Rajai from the BBC’S Afghan Service explains.It’s not uncommon to hear about the internet being shut down for political reasons, like during elections, protests and times of civil unrest. Felicia Anthonio from Access Now, a non-profit organisation which campaigns for digital rights, tells us how common internet blackouts are around the world. Plus, Jacqui Wakefield, a BBC tech reporter breaks down how governments can turn off the internet.Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Julia Ross-Roy, Maria Clara Montoya and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
NOW PLAYING
How do you cut the internet for a whole country?
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Mar 19, 2026 ·34m
Feb 18, 2026 ·11m
Feb 11, 2026 ·45m