MoD Data Breach Exposes 18,700 Afghan Allies, Sparks Evacuation, Legal Battle

A major data breach by the UK Ministry of Defence in February 2022 exposed the personal details of nearly 19,000 Afghans, including members of elite special forces units known as the Triples, who had worked closely with British forces. The breach, caused by an MoD official mistakenly emailing sensitive data, led to fears that the Taliban could access this information to target individuals for reprisals, putting up to 100,000 people at risk. The government imposed a superinjunction to suppress reporting on the incident, preventing parliamentary oversight and public knowledge for over two years until it was lifted following legal challenges. Critics, including former military personnel and Afghan interpreters, condemned the government for a "dereliction of duty," demanding transparency about how many affected individuals have been relocated to the UK and calling for accountability and compensation for those left vulnerable. Defence Secretary John Healey apologized for the breach and commissioned a review that claimed the risk had diminished, though many Afghans and advocacy groups dispute this, citing ongoing threats and disappearances. The incident has sparked calls for urgent protective measures and justice for those who supported Britain during its mission in Afghanistan.