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A whistleblower has revealed an official investigation that the UK left behind confidential technology enabling Afghanistan's rulers to identify Afghans who collaborated with allied troops.

Information Leak Puts Thousands in Danger

The whistleblower, known as Person A, stated that individuals impacted by the information breach were advised to relocate and alter their mobile numbers to ensure their safety from militant forces.

MPs are looking into the Conservative government's handling of a massive disclosure of private information involving approximately 19k individuals who had asked to move to Britain to escape the Taliban.

How the Leak Happened

A data file containing private information, comprising names, contact details and occasionally family information, was mistakenly released by a staff member employed at UK special forces headquarters in February 2022.

The leak became known months later, when details of several individuals who had requested to relocate to the UK were posted on social media.

Regime's Resources

“There seems to be this misconception that militant forces lack similar capabilities that western nations possess,” she told lawmakers.

Technology was deserted in Afghanistan; they possess it. Should they obtain mobile details, they are able to track your exact position. That is what intelligence groups did.”

When questioned about whether the Taliban possessed advanced decryption, the whistleblower stated: “They've got everything.”

Aftermath of the Security Lapse

Early investigations presented to the inquiry indicated that at least 49 relatives and associates of people concerned by the breach had been murdered.

A superinjunction concerning the incident was put in force in August 2023 and prevented any information about it from public disclosure until July 2025.

Protective Actions

Given injunction limitations, the whistleblower and the non-governmental organization associated with told affected households they were assisting that they had “suspicions that somebody's phone had been breached”.

“We recommended that they relocate where feasible and switched their phone numbers. Those were the two main details that, should militant forces had access to these details, would result in identification and capture,” Person A explained.

Contested Findings

The whistleblower argued that internal investigation performed by a retired civil servant had been incorrect to conclude that the possession of the records by the Taliban was “minimally impact present danger”.

“The important fact is that these Afghans are in hiding from the authorities; they are in hiding. The primary issue involves former occupations.”

The source explained horrific treatment endured by affected individuals, involving electric shock torture, simulated drowning, and violent assaults.

“There are cases of toddlers who have had their arms broken to force the family to reveal locations,” Person A stated.