KABUL – The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has admitted to 49 separate data breaches over the past four years involving Afghans who applied for relocation after working with British forces, raising renewed fears for the safety of thousands left behind under Taliban rule.
According to a BBC investigation, the breaches occurred within the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) unit, the body handling applications from former interpreters, staff, and others eligible to move to the UK.
Four of the incidents had previously been made public, including a 2022 leak that mistakenly exposed the personal details of nearly 19,000 applicants. The latest disclosures reveal that dozens of additional breaches have taken place, many of which had not been acknowledged until now.
The MoD said it had “taken action” in response and claimed that security procedures have since been strengthened. However, the admission has alarmed campaigners and veterans’ groups, who argue that exposing names, contact details, and employment records could endanger lives in Afghanistan, where the Taliban continues to target those with past links to international forces.
“This is not just a clerical error – it is a matter of life and death for those whose data was compromised,” one advocacy group told the BBC, warning that Afghans still waiting for relocation could face reprisals as a result of the breaches.
Britain launched the ARAP programme in 2021, promising to resettle Afghans who had served alongside its military mission. So far, more than 21,000 Afghans have been relocated to the UK under the scheme.
But critics say the scheme has been plagued by delays, poor coordination, and bureaucratic mistakes, leaving thousands stranded. The revelation of multiple data breaches has further undermined confidence in the system, especially among applicants who remain in hiding.
The UK government has not disclosed how many people were directly affected by the breaches or whether any Afghans have suffered reprisals as a result.
Campaigners are urging London to accelerate the relocation process and to ensure robust safeguards for the handling of sensitive data.
