Afghans who assisted British forces have been subjected to their 50th personal data breach in five years, according to a recent report. The latest incident involves the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which plays a key role in processing relocation for these individuals and their families to the United Kingdom.
The breach, described as serious, occurred during the transfer of data from Pakistan, where many Afghans eligible for relocation undergo initial checks. The IOM handles personal details, including contact information, for thousands of Afghans seeking sanctuary in the UK through the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
News of the breach has caused distress and anger among Afghans who worked with British troops. One former interpreter, currently in hiding, called the incident a "betrayal of our trust," while a former Afghan Special Forces soldier warned that "mistakes risk lives." This latest leak comes just three months after a previous significant data leak from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was revealed, following the lifting of a superinjunction that had concealed the information for nearly two years.
The MoD has previously acknowledged 49 separate data breaches over four years, with the nature and scale of each incident often undisclosed. Some breaches have been attributed to human error, while others have resulted from cyberattacks. In August of the previous year, personal data of former ministers, British troops, and thousands of Afghans was compromised after a subcontractor handling airport services for flights experienced a security incident.
The IOM confirmed the leak, stating it took "immediate corrective action, strengthening internal controls." The organization added that the incident has been resolved and does not impact current operations. A government spokesperson called it a "limited incident" with a "low risk to individuals," noting that proactive measures were taken with the IOM to ensure appropriate safeguards and inform affected parties.
The latest data compromise occurs as the Taliban marks five years in power in Afghanistan, a period during which attacks on those who worked with Western forces have continued. New requirements introduced by the MoD for relocation eligibility have also reportedly made escape more difficult for those seeking sanctuary.