UK Data Leak Linked to Deaths of 49 Afghan Allies

Research submitted to the UK Parliament’s Defence Committee reveals that a major Ministry of Defence data breach exposed personal information of nearly 100,000 Afghans, putting them at risk and leading to the deaths of at least 49 relatives and colleagues of those who supported British forces. The breach occurred in February 2022 when a Royal Navy officer mistakenly sent a list of about 25,000 Afghan asylum applicants to a contact in Afghanistan, who then circulated it further. Around 200 of 231 surveyed individuals reported direct threats to themselves or their families, with many targeted by the Taliban. Despite secret relocation efforts that brought nearly 24,000 Afghan soldiers and families to the UK at a cost of £7 billion, the breach was kept hidden from the public for over 680 days through a superinjunction. Former British military intelligence officers condemned the breach as shocking and called for accountability, while rights advocates demand stronger protections, faster resettlement, and transparent investigations to prevent further harm. The Ministry of Defence has maintained that the likelihood of individuals being targeted solely due to the leak is low but continues to support Afghan personnel who worked with British forces.