Several government employees in Herat say local Taliban authorities have banned the use of smartphones in government offices over the past two weeks.
According to the employees, the stated purpose of the restriction is to prevent official documents and internal information from leaking to the media.
At least three government workers told Nimruz TV that staff members were instructed to replace smartphones with simple mobile phones lacking cameras and internet access.
One employee claimed that while Taliban officials within the same offices continue using smartphones themselves, ordinary staff members are no longer allowed to do so.
Another employee, speaking anonymously, described the restriction as harmful to administrative processes and public services, saying the ban has disrupted daily operations.
He added that visitors arriving from neighboring provinces are also facing serious difficulties in completing administrative procedures.
A separate source said that although no formal written order from the Taliban governor in Herat has been publicly issued, the restriction is being enforced informally across government institutions.
The Taliban had previously introduced restrictions in some provinces on smartphone usage and the publication of images of living beings.
Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada also reportedly urged members of the group in Jawza 1404 to reduce their use of smartphones.
The reported measures reflect broader Taliban concerns over information control, media leaks, and digital surveillance risks inside state institutions.
At the same time, critics argue that limiting access to digital tools may further weaken administrative efficiency and public access to services in a country already facing institutional and technological challenges.
