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A whistleblower has disclosed an official investigation that British authorities abandoned confidential technology permitting the Taliban to identify Afghans that had served with allied troops.

Information Leak Endangers Numerous at Risk

The whistleblower, called Person A, explained that Afghans affected by the data leak were advised to move homes and switch their mobile numbers to ensure their safety from militant forces.

MPs are looking into the UK government's handling of a catastrophic disclosure of private information concerning nearly 19,000 individuals who had applied to come to Britain to flee the Taliban.

Data Disclosure Occurred

An electronic document with private information, including names, addresses and in some cases relative details, was mistakenly released by a worker stationed at UK special forces headquarters in early 2022.

The breach became known only in August 2023, when identities of several individuals who had requested to relocate to the UK were posted on social media.

Regime's Resources

“There seems to be a false assumption that Afghan rulers are without similar capabilities that western nations possess,” she told lawmakers.

Technology was deserted in Afghanistan; they possess it. If they have your phone number, they can locate your precise location. That's precisely what intelligence groups achieved.”

Under inquiry about regarding if authorities owned necessary encryption, Person A stated: “They've got everything.”

Consequences of the Data Breach

Initial findings presented to the inquiry estimated that at least 49 family members and colleagues of individuals impacted by the incident had been executed.

A gag order regarding the breach was implemented in last year and prevented all details about it from being made public until July 2025.

Security Recommendations

Because she was restricted, Person A and the volunteer organization she was working with told individuals at risk they were supporting that they had “apprehensions that somebody's phone had been compromised”.

“Our suggestion was that they change residence when possible and altered their contact details. That constituted the primary information that, if the Taliban obtained these details, would lead to their location being found,” Person A explained.

Disputed Conclusions

The source contested that an official review carried out by a retired civil servant had been wrong to determine that the obtaining of the records by the regime was “not significantly alter current risk levels”.

“The important fact is that these individuals are in hiding from the authorities; they remain concealed. All concerns relate to former occupations.”

Person A described disturbing abuse endured by affected individuals, including electrocution, interrogation techniques, and physical abuse.

“There are cases of toddlers who have had bones crushed to pressure relatives to disclose hiding places,” Person A stated.