Taliban to remain banned on Facebook, despite taking power

Facebook has confirmed to Sky News that the Taliban will continue to be banned from operating Afghan government accounts on its platforms.

The militant group is considered a Dangerous Organisation under Facebook’s policies.

“The Taliban is sanctioned as a terrorist organisation under US law and we have banned them from our services under our Dangerous Organisation policies,” a Facebook spokesperson told Sky News.

The US Treasury’s sanctions means that “any transaction or dealing by US persons or within the US… is prohibited” including “any contribution of funds, goods, or services”.

Despite this an account belonging to the Taliban, known by the supposed pseudonym Zabihullah Mujahid, has been active on Twitter since 2017. The group has also previously operated a YouTube channel, although this is now defunct.