🔗 Share this article Afghan Rulers Used Left-Behind UK Technology to Track Down Afghans That Served With Allied Forces, Investigation Learns A whistleblower has told the Afghan leak inquiry that the UK left behind confidential devices allowing Afghanistan's rulers to track down Afghans that had served with international military. Data Breach Endangers Numerous in Danger The whistleblower, identified as Person A, stated that Afghans affected by the data leak were told to move homes and change their mobile numbers to ensure their safety from the Taliban. Lawmakers are investigating official management of a serious disclosure of personal details affecting almost nineteen thousand individuals who had asked to come to Britain to escape the regime. The Information Breach Happened An electronic document containing confidential details, such as names, phone numbers and in some cases relative details, was accidentally leaked by a worker working at special operations center in early 2022. The incident became known months later, when details of several individuals who had requested to settle in Britain surfaced on social media. Taliban Capabilities It appears there is a misunderstanding that the Taliban are without the same sort of facilities that we have,” she told lawmakers. “We left it all behind in Afghanistan; they have it. Should they obtain mobile details, they can trace your precise location. That is what the unit did.” Under inquiry about regarding if authorities owned advanced decryption, the source stated: “They possess all resources.” Consequences of the Security Lapse Initial findings presented to the investigation suggested that no fewer than forty-nine relatives and associates of Afghans affected by the breach had been killed. A legal restriction concerning the breach was implemented in late 2023 and prevented all details regarding the matter from public disclosure until July 2025. Protective Actions Because she was restricted, Person A and the non-governmental organization she was working with advised Afghan families they were supporting that they had “suspicions that mobile communications had been compromised”. “We advised that they moved where feasible and altered their contact details. Those were the crucial data that, if the Taliban obtained such data, would lead to their location being found,” Person A explained. Challenged Assessments The source disputed that an official review carried out by an ex-government employee had been wrong to conclude that the acquisition of the dataset by the Taliban was “minimally impact current risk levels”. “The important fact is that these individuals are not standing up to militant forces; they remain concealed. The primary issue involves their previous employment.” Person A described disturbing violence endured by at-risk Afghans, comprising electrocution, waterboarding, and physical abuse. “We have had four-year-old children who have had bones crushed to try to get households to disclose hiding places,” the whistleblower revealed.