Inquiry finds MoD Afghan data breach was foreseeable failure
A parliamentary inquiry has concluded that a 2023 data breach involving Afghan relocation applicants was a foreseeable failure by the UK Ministry of Defence. The report cites systemic issues including poor training and inadequate data protection culture.
Why it matters
The breach compromised the safety of thousands of vulnerable individuals, raising serious questions about government accountability and data security protocols.
Image caption, Britain set up scheme to bring those thought to be the most in danger to safety
A data breach that exposed personal details of thousands of Afghans applying to come to the UK to flee the Taliban was a "foreseeable" failure, a parliamentary inquiry has found.
In a report published on Thursday, the Commons' Defence Committee said the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had lacked the expertise to run the UK's Afghan relocation scheme after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban and had used secrecy as a "shield" against proper accountability.
The breach came to light in August 2023 but an unprecedented super-injunction prevented it from being reported on until July 2025.
A MoD spokesperson said the leak "should never have happened" and welcomed the opportunity to learn from the incident.
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