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A whistleblower has disclosed a parliamentary probe that British authorities failed to secure classified devices allowing the militant group to locate Afghans who worked with allied troops.

Information Leak Endangers Thousands at Risk

The source, known as Person A, explained that people concerned by the information breach were advised to change residences and switch their contact details to avoid detection from militant forces.

Members of Parliament are looking into official handling of a massive breach of private information concerning approximately 19k Afghans who had requested to relocate to Britain to flee militant rule.

The Information Breach Happened

A data file including private information, including names, addresses and in some cases household data, was inadvertently disclosed by an official employed at UK special forces headquarters in early 2022.

The leak was discovered in late 2023, when details of multiple applicants who had applied to move to the UK were posted on online platforms.

Taliban Capabilities

“There seems to be this misconception that the Taliban are without similar capabilities that we have,” the whistleblower testified to the committee.

Technology was deserted in Afghanistan; it's in their hands. If they have mobile details, they are able to track you down to within metres. That is what specialized teams accomplished.”

Under inquiry about regarding if authorities possessed necessary encryption, the whistleblower confirmed: “They possess all resources.”

Aftermath of the Information Leak

Initial findings provided to the inquiry suggested that at least 49 relatives and associates of Afghans affected by the leak had been murdered.

A superinjunction about the breach was put in force in August 2023 and restricted relevant facts about it from public disclosure until July 2025.

Protective Actions

Given injunction limitations, the source and the volunteer organization she was working with informed individuals at risk they were supporting that they had “concerns that certain devices had been intercepted”.

“Our suggestion was that they relocate when possible and changed their mobile numbers. That constituted the two main details that, should militant forces acquired such data, would lead to identification and capture,” Person A explained.

Contested Findings

Person A disputed that an official review conducted by a former official had been wrong to determine that the acquisition of the information by the regime was “minimally impact an individual's existing exposure”.

“The thing to remember is that these Afghans are not confronting the Taliban; they remain concealed. The primary issue involves their previous employment.”

The source explained terrible abuse experienced by concerned people, involving electrocution, simulated drowning, and severe beatings.

“We have had toddlers who have had limbs fractured to force relatives to disclose hiding places,” she testified.