The idea of a centralized, publicly available "Afghanistan cell phone number directory" for individual users is a common misconception. In reality, such a comprehensive and open database does not exist and is not provided by telecommunication companies in a public format. This is a reflection of global trends towards data privacy and the specific operational and regulatory environment in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan's telecommunications sector is overseen by the Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA). While ATRA's foundational Law Regulating Telecommunication Services, 2005, aims to promote access and competition, it also includes provisions for protecting consumer rights and addressing privacy. Major mobile operators in Afghanistan, such as Afghan Wireless (AWCC), Roshan, Etisalat Afghanistan, MTN Afghanistan, and Salaam Network, are obligated to protect their subscriber azerbaijan phone number library data. This includes not publicly disseminating individual phone numbers.
AWCC, for instance, explicitly states in its privacy policy its commitment to protecting subscriber privacy and preventing unauthorized access or disclosure of personal information, including phone numbers. While a comprehensive data protection law akin to Europe's GDPR is still developing in Afghanistan, the existing legal framework and operators' policies underscore the principle of subscriber data confidentiality.