UK secretly relocated thousands of Afghans after major data breach exposed identities

Britain secretly set up a large-scale relocation scheme to bring thousands of Afghans to the UK after a major data breach exposed the identities of applicants to the Taliban, prompting fears of reprisals. The breach, described as one of the worst in modern British history, led to a covert government operation costing an estimated £2 billion ($2.7 billion).

The Ministry of Defence leak, which occurred in February 2022 and later surfaced on Facebook in 2023, involved a spreadsheet containing personal details of around 18,700 Afghans and their relatives—about 33,000 people in total—who had applied for resettlement under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). These individuals had supported British forces in Afghanistan, often working as interpreters, drivers, and assistants, Caliber.Az reports, citing Al Jazeera.

In response to concerns that those affected could be targeted by the Taliban after its return to power in August 2021, the then-Conservative government implemented a secret relocation programme. The scheme remained under a superinjunction—banning media coverage—until the order was lifted by a UK court on July 15.

Defence Secretary John Healey addressed the House of Commons following the injunction’s removal, offering an apology to those impacted.

“This serious data incident should never have happened,” he said. “It may have occurred three years ago under the previous government, but to all whose data was compromised I offer a sincere apology.”

Healey confirmed that the leak was the result of a British soldier mistakenly emailing the database to incorrect recipients. The soldier, assigned to verify ARAP applications, believed the spreadsheet contained only 150 names when, in fact, it held sensitive information linked to nearly 19,000 individuals.

The ARAP scheme, launched after the Taliban's return to power, succeeded the Ex-Gratia Scheme (EGS) introduced in 2013. Both initiatives aimed to protect Afghan nationals who faced serious threats due to their work with UK forces. The EGS was created after years of advocacy by human rights activists and media organisations highlighting the danger these individuals faced if left behind.

By Sabina Mammadli