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A whistleblower has told a parliamentary probe that British authorities abandoned confidential devices permitting Afghanistan's rulers to identify Afghans that had served with allied troops.

Information Leak Endangers Thousands at Risk

The whistleblower, identified as Person A, testified that Afghans affected by the data leak were instructed to change residences and change their mobile numbers to ensure their safety from militant forces.

Members of Parliament are looking into the UK government's response of a catastrophic disclosure of personal details concerning nearly 19,000 individuals who had requested to move to Britain to avoid the Taliban.

How the Leak Happened

A spreadsheet with private information, including names, phone numbers and occasionally relative details, was mistakenly released by a worker stationed at UK special forces headquarters in February 2022.

The breach was discovered months later, when the names of multiple applicants who had applied to move to Britain surfaced on social media.

Taliban Capabilities

“There seems to be a false assumption that Afghan rulers lack similar capabilities that western nations possess,” she told MPs.

Technology was deserted in Afghanistan; it's in their hands. Should they obtain mobile details, they can locate you down to within metres. This is exactly how intelligence groups did.”

During testimony about if militant forces had access to necessary encryption, the source declared: “They possess all resources.”

Aftermath of the Information Leak

Initial findings submitted to the committee estimated that no fewer than forty-nine kin and associates of people concerned by the breach had been killed.

A legal restriction regarding the breach was implemented in last year and prevented relevant facts regarding the matter from being made public until mid-2025.

Security Recommendations

Given injunction limitations, the source and the volunteer organization she collaborated with advised individuals at risk they were working with that they had “suspicions that certain devices had been breached”.

“We advised that they moved when possible and changed their mobile numbers. That constituted the primary information that, if authorities acquired such data, would cause their location being found,” Person A explained.

Disputed Conclusions

The source argued that an official review performed by an ex-government employee had been incorrect to conclude that the obtaining of the information by militant forces was “not significantly alter present danger”.

“The crucial point is that affected people are not confronting the Taliban; they are in hiding. Everything boils down to their previous employment.”

The source explained disturbing abuse experienced by affected individuals, involving electric shock torture, simulated drowning, and violent assaults.

“Instances include young kids who have had their arms broken to try to get relatives to say where someone is,” she testified.