Thu Jul 17 18:32:20 UTC 2025: **Summary of Text:**
A massive data leak from the UK government in February 2022, revealed personal information of nearly 19,000 Afghans seeking resettlement in the UK due to their work with Western forces, jeopardizing their safety. The leak also exposed the identities of over 100 British special forces, MI6 spies, and military officers. Despite a super injunction to suppress the news, media outlets reported on the security breach after a judge lifted some of the reporting restrictions. The government launched a program relocating thousands of Afghans to the UK at a significant cost, but it’s closing down the program, claiming the Taliban already has access to the same information. Critics argue that the leak endangers the lives of Afghans who assisted British forces. The Taliban claims a general amnesty prevents those at risk.
**News Article:**
**UK Data Leak Exposes Afghan Allies and British Spies, Sparks Scandal**
**LONDON – July 18, 2025** – A catastrophic data breach by the UK government has jeopardized the safety of thousands of Afghan citizens who assisted Western forces and exposed the identities of British special forces personnel and spies, according to news reports. The breach, stemming from an email sent in February 2022, contained personal information of nearly 19,000 Afghans who had applied for resettlement in the UK, fearing retribution from the Taliban.
The revelation comes after a London judge lifted a super injunction that had prevented any reporting on the incident. The leaked data reportedly includes the names of over 100 special forces troops, MI6 operatives, and military officers.
Defense Secretary John Healey has apologized for the breach, which triggered a secret program to relocate vulnerable Afghans to the UK. Approximately 4,500 Afghans (900 applicants and 3,600 family members) have been brought to Britain under the program, with an estimated 6,900 people expected to be relocated at a total cost of £850 million ($1.1 billion).
The government is now closing the resettlement program, citing an independent review that concluded the leaked data posed no greater risk to Afghans, as the Taliban already possesses alternative sources of information. However, critics argue the breach has caused significant anxiety and distress and could lead to torture, imprisonment, or death for those exposed.
Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman for the Taliban government of Afghanistan, claims a general amnesty is in place, preventing any persecution of those who worked with international forces. He insisted that the Taliban possessed existing documents and information making the data leak irrelevant. However, others have argued that this type of leak undermines security of UK citizens overseas.
First Piper 