Some users say that despite global advances in technology, the cyber environment in Afghanistan remains fragile and insecure. They add that after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, monitoring and control over user activities have increased, while the security of personal information has reached its lowest point. According to them, the absence of responsible and effective institutions to pursue cybercrimes has left many users vulnerable to hacking, the creation of fake accounts, the disclosure of personal information, and widespread online abuse. Some users claim that the Taliban create fake accounts in the names of journalists and civil activists to harass and defame them.
Samira, one user, says that cyberspace in Afghanistan lacks adequate cybersecurity. She adds that after the Taliban’s takeover, this space has increasingly become a threatening and concerning environment for women.
She says, “I was very active on Facebook and enjoyed sharing photos and moments from my travels with others. But this activity led someone to create a fake account in my name and even message my relatives, asking them for money. This was a very bitter experience and forced me to limit my online presence and reduce my circle of friends.”
Fereshta, another user, says that her Facebook account was hacked, and since then she has been unable to share her personal photos. She adds, “I do not feel safe posting my content because I fear being hacked again and having my information and photos fall into the hands of hackers.”
Nazanin (pseudonym), another social media user, says that due to the absence of a proper culture of using cyberspace, she prefers not to publish her personal photos on social platforms.
Omid Pouya, a resident of Kabul, says that because he is aware of methods to protect user accounts, none of his accounts have been hacked so far. He adds, “Many people would message me claiming that they are trustworthy, know vulnerable individuals, and request that I send them money. But because I am aware, I was not deceived.”
Meanwhile, several prominent media figures in Afghanistan have called for the punishment of individuals who misuse their real or legal identities.
These figures urge platforms such as Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and TikTok to implement clear rules and measures for well-known individuals so that others cannot damage their reputation and security by creating fake accounts or misusing their identities. According to them, the lack of effective mechanisms for user authentication and insufficient monitoring of published content has created opportunities for fake accounts and the spread of false information.
Tahmina Osmani, a journalist in exile, says, “In today’s world, cybersecurity is not merely a technical issue; it goes beyond that and is directly connected to our reputation, mental health, and social trust. When an anonymous individual uses the image, synthetic voice, or name of a recognized figure for malicious purposes, it not only harms that individual but also undermines collective trust.”
Marziya Hafizi, another journalist in exile, says, “Some people exploit the photos and videos of well-known figures merely to gain likes and comments. This not only damages the individual’s reputation but also reduces public trust in content shared on social media. Many users, especially women, no longer post their photos out of fear of abuse.”
She adds, “My name has been misused repeatedly. A fake account was even created on X, claiming to smuggle people from Afghanistan to Europe or to post job ads. This caused me numerous problems. At times, some people refused to take photos with me because they assumed I was misusing social media.”
Shayista, a journalist, adds, “When we work as women in the media, our primary goal is to leave a positive and accurate impression in the minds of the public, especially on social media, which is often built on judgment. Yet, some create accounts in our names solely to gain likes and followers, damaging our credibility and reputation.” She notes that public unawareness about the difference between fake and real accounts has exacerbated this problem.
She emphasizes, “The most troubling aspect is that they use our photos and pair them with harsh and aggressive statements, as if we said them ourselves. People believe this without verification and begin judging in the comments.”
Meanwhile, findings from the Hasht-e Subh Daily report indicate that the Taliban extensively misuses the identities of well-known figures to target, harass, and defame women civil activists.
One such account, under the name “Sonia Niazi,” is active on X but is not under the actual control of its namesake; the Taliban use it to post content in their favor. Dozens of similar accounts even leave targeted and defamatory comments under independent media reports to portray media outlets and journalists as “liars.”
In recent days, hundreds of accounts affiliated with the Taliban’s propaganda sections on X have received blue verification checks. These individuals, in addition to promoting the Taliban, post threatening, insulting, and humiliating comments under the news of independent media, and the posts of journalists, human rights activists, and women, aiming to defame them and undermine their credibility.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
امنیت سایبری در افغانستان؛ جولان حسابهای جعلی طالبان و سکوت در مقابل آزار فعالان
