Thousands of Afghans were moved to UK in secret scheme after data breach

In the United Kingdom, it was revealed on Tuesday that nearly 19-thousand Afghans who had applied to move to the UK after the Taliban seized power had their details leaked.

According to reports, the UK Ministry of Defense data breach in February 2022 exposed details of some 18-thousand-700 Afghan individuals, some of whom aided British forces.

Around 16-thousand Afghans had been relocated by May 2025, with an additional 4-thousand-500 in transit.

The accidental leak was first reported in August 2023, resulting in a super-injunction that prohibited public disclosure.

The breach included the names, contact information, and certain family details of individuals who might be in danger from the Taliban.

The government also revealed a classified Afghanistan Response Route scheme, launched in April 2024, which was specifically designed to evacuate high-risk individuals.

Defense Minister John Healey publicly apologized, acknowledging the breach as "one of the worst security risks" in recent UK history during a statement to Parliament.