Poll: Public Discontent Emerges as Primary Impact of Internet Shutdown

DID Press: A new poll conducted by DID Press reveals that an overwhelming majority of Afghanistan people view Taliban caretaker government’s widespread internet shutdown as a serious threat to social relations, access to information, and the future of the country’s digital economy.

According to the findings, 70% of respondents believe cutting internet access directly fuels public dissatisfaction and deepens the divide between the population and the Taliban. They argue that restricting communication widens the gap between rulers and citizens, creating conditions for broader unrest.

Meanwhile, 20% of participants stressed that the move severely limits access to information and leads to near-total media censorship. In their view, the Taliban administration is attempting to silence society and block free flow of information through this policy.

Additionally, 10% of respondents identified main consequence of the shutdown as a blow to education, the digital economy, and online businesses. This group believes that young people and entrepreneurs will suffer the most from the restrictions.

Strikingly, none of the respondents—zero percent—considered the internet shutdown to have no lasting or serious impact.

The poll results indicate that, regardless of political views, Afghanistan people perceive internet blackout not as a temporary measure but as a national crisis with profound social, political, and economic consequences for the country.