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A confidential source has told a parliamentary probe that the UK failed to secure confidential devices enabling the Taliban to locate local individuals that had served with international military.

Information Leak Endangers Numerous in Danger

The source, identified as Person A, testified that people concerned by the information breach were advised to move homes and alter their mobile numbers to protect themselves from the Taliban.

Lawmakers are looking into the Conservative government's response of a massive disclosure of personal details involving almost nineteen thousand Afghans who had requested to relocate to Britain to flee militant rule.

Data Disclosure Happened

A spreadsheet containing their personal data, such as identities, contact details and in some cases relative details, was inadvertently disclosed by a worker employed at British military command in February 2022.

The breach came to light months later, when identities of several individuals who had sought to settle in the UK were posted on Facebook.

Militant Technology

It appears there is a false assumption that militant forces are without comparable resources that we have,” she told the committee.

All equipment was abandoned in Afghanistan; they have it. If they have a contact number, they are able to track you down to within metres. That is what specialized teams did.”

During testimony about regarding if authorities owned necessary encryption, the source confirmed: “They have complete capability.”

Impact of the Data Breach

Early investigations provided to the investigation suggested that approximately fifty relatives and associates of individuals impacted by the incident had been killed.

A legal restriction concerning the leak was implemented in late 2023 and prevented all details regarding the matter from public disclosure until July 2025.

Protective Actions

Due to legal constraints, the source and the aid group she collaborated with told Afghan families they were assisting that they had “apprehensions that somebody's phone had been intercepted”.

“We advised that they change residence when possible and switched their contact details. That constituted the two main details that, if authorities obtained such data, would result in identification and capture,” Person A explained.

Challenged Assessments

The whistleblower argued that an official review performed by an ex-government employee had been incorrect to determine that the acquisition of the information by militant forces was “unlikely to substantially change an individual's existing exposure”.

“The crucial point is that these individuals are not standing up to militant forces; they live secretly. All concerns relate to their previous employment.”

She detailed terrible treatment endured by affected individuals, comprising electric shock torture, waterboarding, and physical abuse.

“Instances include four-year-old children who have had bones crushed to force relatives to reveal locations,” the whistleblower revealed.