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A whistleblower has told the Afghan leak inquiry that the UK left behind confidential technology enabling Afghanistan's rulers to locate local individuals who worked with international military.

Information Leak Endangers Thousands in Danger

The source, known as Person A, explained that people concerned by the security lapse were advised to change residences and alter their contact details to protect themselves from the ruling authorities.

MPs are currently examining official management of a serious breach of personal details concerning almost nineteen thousand individuals who had applied to move to the UK to avoid the Taliban.

How the Leak Occurred

An electronic document including private information, such as names, contact details and occasionally household data, was accidentally leaked by an official employed at UK special forces headquarters in February 2022.

The leak was discovered only in August 2023, when identities of several individuals who had sought to settle in the UK were posted on Facebook.

Regime's Resources

It appears there is a misunderstanding that the Taliban do not have the same sort of facilities that western nations possess,” she told lawmakers.

All equipment was abandoned in Afghanistan; they have it. If they have a contact number, they can locate your exact position. That is what the unit achieved.”

When questioned about regarding if authorities had access to sophisticated technology, Person A confirmed: “They've got everything.”

Aftermath of the Data Breach

Initial findings presented to the inquiry estimated that at least 49 relatives and co-workers of Afghans affected by the incident had been murdered.

A gag order about the breach was put in force in August 2023 and prevented any information concerning it from being made public until July 2025.

Security Recommendations

Due to legal constraints, the source and the aid group she was working with informed individuals at risk they were supporting that they had “concerns that mobile communications had been intercepted”.

“We advised that they relocate if they could and altered their contact details. These represented the two main details that, if the Taliban acquired this information, would lead to them being traced,” Person A explained.

Disputed Conclusions

The whistleblower argued that government assessment performed by a retired civil servant had been incorrect to determine that the possession of the information by the regime was “minimally impact current risk levels”.

“The crucial point is that these Afghans are not standing up to the Taliban; they live secretly. All concerns relate to their previous employment.”

Person A described disturbing treatment experienced by affected individuals, involving electrocution, interrogation techniques, and severe beatings.

“Instances include four-year-old children who have had limbs fractured to try to get households to disclose hiding places,” the whistleblower revealed.