This week, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn said they had taken steps to protect the accounts of Afghan citizens to protect them from persecution amid a rapid Taliban takeover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kyiv. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate \u2013 August 20, 2021 \u2013 Technology<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Facebook has temporarily deprived people of the ability to browse or search for friends’ lists in Afghanistan, Security Policy Chief Nathaniel Gleicher said on Twitter on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gleicher also said that the company has launched a “one-click tool” for users in Afghanistan to block their accounts so that people who are not their friends on Facebook will not be able to see their messages <\/a>in the news feed or share their profile photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Twitter deletes archives<\/p>\n\n\n\n Twitter said it is liaising with civil society partners to support groups in the country and is working with the Internet Archives to expedite direct requests to delete archival tweets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the company, if people cannot access accounts that contain information that could put them at risks, such as direct messages or subscribers, the company may suspend accounts until users gain access and delete their content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Twitter has also said it is actively tracking accounts associated with government organizations and may temporarily suspend their work pending further information <\/a>to verify their identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n LinkedIn hides user connections<\/p>\n\n\n\n A LinkedIn spokesman said Microsoft’s professional social networking site had temporarily hidden its users’ connections in Afghanistan so that other users could not see them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Human rights activists are concerned<\/p>\n\n\n\n Human rights groups have expressed concern that the Taliban may use online platforms to track the digital history of Afghans or their social connections. Amnesty International said this week that thousands of Afghans, including scientists, journalists, and human <\/a>rights activists, are at serious risk of repression by the Taliban.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Establishment of Taliban power<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Taliban announced control of the entire territory of Afghanistan on August 15. After capturing Kabul without a fight, the Taliban declared an end to the war, and the movement’s leaders said they intended to recreate the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n