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A whistleblower has told a parliamentary probe that the UK left behind classified technology enabling Afghanistan's rulers to identify local individuals who worked with allied troops.

Information Leak Puts Thousands at Risk

The whistleblower, known as Person A, stated that Afghans affected by the security lapse were told to change residences and change their contact details to avoid detection from the Taliban.

Members of Parliament are currently examining the Conservative government's response of a massive disclosure of private information concerning almost nineteen thousand individuals who had asked to relocate to Britain to escape militant rule.

Data Disclosure Was Discovered

A data file containing their personal data, such as names, phone numbers and in some cases household data, was accidentally leaked by a staff member stationed at special operations center in last year.

The incident came to light months later, when the names of multiple applicants who had applied to move to the UK surfaced on online platforms.

Regime's Resources

It appears there is this misconception that Afghan rulers lack the same sort of facilities that allied forces use,” the whistleblower testified to MPs.

Technology was deserted in Afghanistan; it's in their hands. Should they obtain a contact number, they can trace your exact position. That is what the unit accomplished.”

During testimony about regarding if authorities possessed necessary encryption, the source confirmed: “They possess all resources.”

Consequences of the Information Leak

Initial findings submitted to the investigation estimated that approximately fifty kin and colleagues of Afghans affected by the incident had been executed.

A legal restriction regarding the leak was implemented in late 2023 and restricted any information regarding the matter from public disclosure until July 2025.

Safety Measures

Because she was restricted, Person A and the non-governmental organization she collaborated with informed affected households they were assisting that they had “concerns that mobile communications had been intercepted”.

“Our suggestion was that they change residence where feasible and changed their contact details. These represented the primary information that, if the Taliban acquired these details, would lead to them being traced,” Person A explained.

Challenged Assessments

The source disputed that an official review conducted by a former official had been incorrect to determine that the obtaining of the information by militant forces was “minimally impact current risk levels”.

“The important fact is that these Afghans are not confronting the authorities; they are in hiding. The primary issue involves past work history.”

The source explained horrific abuse suffered by affected individuals, comprising electric shock torture, interrogation techniques, and severe beatings.

“Instances include four-year-old children who have had their arms broken to pressure households to say where someone is,” Person A stated.