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An informant has told the Afghan leak inquiry that the UK failed to secure classified devices enabling the Taliban to locate Afghans who collaborated with western forces.

Information Leak Endangers Thousands at Risk

The whistleblower, called Person A, stated that individuals impacted by the data leak were told to relocate and alter their phone numbers to ensure their safety from the Taliban.

MPs are looking into the Conservative government's handling of a massive disclosure of private information involving nearly 19,000 Afghans who had requested to come to Britain to flee the regime.

The Information Breach Happened

A spreadsheet including private information, comprising identities, addresses and sometimes relative details, was mistakenly released by a worker employed at British military command in last year.

The incident was discovered in late 2023, when details of multiple applicants who had sought to move to Britain appeared on Facebook.

Militant Technology

“There seems to be a misunderstanding that militant forces do not have the same sort of facilities that western nations possess,” she told the committee.

Technology was deserted in Afghanistan; it's in their hands. Once they acquire mobile details, they can trace you down to within metres. This is exactly how specialized teams accomplished.”

Under inquiry about regarding if authorities had access to sophisticated technology, the source stated: “They've got everything.”

Consequences of the Information Leak

Early investigations submitted to the inquiry suggested that at least 49 relatives and colleagues of people concerned by the leak had been killed.

A superinjunction regarding the leak was put in force in last year and restricted all details concerning it from public disclosure until July 2025.

Security Recommendations

Given injunction limitations, Person A and the volunteer organization she was working with advised Afghan families they were assisting that they had “suspicions that certain devices had been intercepted”.

“Our suggestion was that they moved where feasible and switched their contact details. Those were the primary information that, if authorities obtained this information, would cause identification and capture,” she said.

Contested Findings

The source contested that government assessment carried out by an ex-government employee had been incorrect to conclude that the obtaining of the information by the regime was “not significantly alter present danger”.

“The important fact is that affected people are not standing up to the authorities; they remain concealed. The primary issue involves their previous employment.”

She detailed horrific treatment experienced by concerned people, comprising electric shock torture, interrogation techniques, and violent assaults.

“Instances include toddlers who have had bones crushed to pressure households to reveal locations,” the whistleblower revealed.