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A whistleblower has told an official investigation that British authorities left behind confidential technology allowing Afghanistan's rulers to identify Afghans that had served with western forces.

Data Breach Puts Thousands in Danger

The whistleblower, called Person A, explained that Afghans affected by the data leak were instructed to move homes and change their mobile numbers to protect themselves from militant forces.

Members of Parliament are currently examining official management of a catastrophic breach of private information affecting approximately 19k individuals who had asked to move to the United Kingdom to flee militant rule.

Data Disclosure Occurred

A data file containing their personal data, such as names, contact details and in some cases household data, was accidentally leaked by an official employed at UK special forces headquarters in last year.

The leak became known in late 2023, when details of multiple applicants who had requested to relocate to the UK surfaced on social media.

Militant Technology

“There seems to be a misunderstanding that Afghan rulers lack the same sort of facilities that we have,” she told MPs.

Technology was deserted in Afghanistan; it's in their hands. If they have a contact number, they can trace your precise location. That's precisely what specialized teams achieved.”

During testimony about regarding if authorities owned advanced decryption, the source stated: “They've got everything.”

Consequences of the Data Breach

Early investigations presented to the inquiry estimated that no fewer than forty-nine relatives and colleagues of individuals impacted by the leak had been killed.

A legal restriction concerning the breach was implemented in last year and prevented all details concerning it from media reporting until July 2025.

Safety Measures

Due to legal constraints, the source and the aid group she collaborated with advised affected households they were supporting that they had “apprehensions that certain devices had been breached”.

“Our suggestion was that they change residence if they could and switched their mobile numbers. Those were the two main details that, if authorities acquired such data, would lead to identification and capture,” she said.

Challenged Assessments

The whistleblower argued that an official review performed by an ex-government employee had been wrong to state that the obtaining of the records by militant forces was “not significantly alter an individual's existing exposure”.

“The thing to remember is that these individuals are in hiding from the authorities; they remain concealed. The primary issue involves former occupations.”

She detailed horrific violence endured by affected individuals, including electrocution, interrogation techniques, and physical abuse.

“There are cases of four-year-old children who have had limbs fractured to pressure relatives to reveal locations,” she testified.