The Taliban has implemented an extensive surveillance network across Afghanistan, with a particular focus on Kabul, marking a significant expansion of their technological monitoring capabilities. The system includes approximately 90,000 CCTV cameras throughout the capital city, enabling surveillance of its estimated 6 million residents.
The sophisticated monitoring infrastructure allows Taliban forces to track license plates, analyze facial expressions, and monitor various activities across the capital. According to previous reporting, the facial recognition technology may be supplied by Huawei, though the exact source of the surveillance equipment remains contested.
While Taliban officials maintain that the surveillance system aims to reduce crime rates, human rights organizations and critics express concern that the technology will be used to enforce strict moral codes and further restrict personal freedoms. The UN Special Rapporteur’s report indicates that the surveillance has created an environment where “public spaces, homes, and even personal interactions are monitored, eroding the distinction between private and public life.”
Beyond CCTV monitoring, the Taliban has expanded its surveillance to include extensive mobile phone data collection. At checkpoints throughout the country, Taliban fighters regularly demand access to travelers’ phones, searching for content they deem inappropriate, including music, videos, or photos of former Afghan security forces. Reports indicate that in some instances, data recovery software is being employed to copy and preserve smartphone data.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has attempted to downplay these practices, stating, “We do not check anyone’s phone to look at their photos or data. We only look at the phones of suspected individuals to complete our information.” However, documented evidence suggests more widespread implementation of these surveillance tactics.
The comprehensive monitoring system appears to have fostered an atmosphere of anxiety among Afghan citizens, who must navigate daily life under constant observation. The UN report notes that non-compliance with Taliban regulations can result in severe consequences, including public shaming, imprisonment, or physical violence.
This digital surveillance represents a modern evolution of the Taliban’s historical control measures. During their previous rule in the 1990s, the group enforced strict regulations through more traditional means, including bans on entertainment media and rigid dress codes. The current technological infrastructure allows for more systematic and pervasive monitoring of the population.
Sources: Ground News, Radio Free Europe, The Daily Guardian, OHCHR
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February 27, 2025 – by the ID Tech Editorial Team
