What's blocked in Afghanistan
TikTok has been banned since 2022, and the Taliban imposed a nationwide internet shutdown from 29 September to 1 October 2025.
- WhatsApp: Works
- Voice & video calls: Works
- Telegram: Works
- Signal: Works
- Discord: Works
- Facebook: Works
- Instagram: Works
- X (Twitter): Works
- TikTok: Blocked
- YouTube: Works
- Google: Works
- Works
- Age-gated
- Partly blocked
- Slowed down
- Blocked
App by app
| App | Status | Since | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TikTok | Blocked | Apr 2022 | |
| PUBG Mobile | Blocked | Apr 2022 |
Not offered in Afghanistan
These companies don't sell their service here. That's a business or sanctions decision, not government censorship.
Working normally
Social media
Video, TV & music
The 3 VPNs that fit Afghanistan
Our assessment, plus what visitors in Afghanistan are reporting this week.
Picked for heavy censorship: each can disguise VPN traffic.
ExpressVPN
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NordVPN
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Surfshark
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Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs Proton VPN, Private Internet Access and CyberGhost
Proton VPN
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Private Internet Access
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CyberGhost
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We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick and how we make money
What's going on
Afghanistan's Taliban government banned TikTok in 2022 and cut fibre internet province by province in September 2025 before shutting down the whole country for roughly 48 hours. Reports in May 2026 said residential fibre in Kabul was ordered cut again.
Before you connect: A VPN works when there is a connection, but cannot help during shutdowns.
Is a VPN legal in Afghanistan?
Legal with restrictions
There is no clear VPN law, but authorities treat access to banned content harshly.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Which apps are blocked in Afghanistan?
Yes. TikTok and PUBG Mobile are blocked in Afghanistan.
Which streaming and online services are not available in Afghanistan?
Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, JioHotstar and PayPal are not offered in Afghanistan. That is the companies' decision, often because of licensing or sanctions.
Is it legal to use a VPN in Afghanistan?
Legal with restrictions. There is no clear VPN law, but authorities treat access to banned content harshly.
Which VPN works in Afghanistan?
Our picks for Afghanistan are ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark. Check the live votes on this page for this week's results.
Will a VPN work during an internet shutdown in Afghanistan?
No. A VPN can get around blocks on specific apps and sites, but during a full shutdown there is no connection to the outside world for the VPN to use.
Report a block
Seeing something different in Afghanistan? An editor reviews every report before the page changes.