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A confidential source has disclosed the Afghan leak inquiry that British authorities failed to secure sensitive technology permitting the Taliban to track down Afghans who collaborated with western forces.

Information Leak Endangers Thousands in Danger

The whistleblower, identified as Person A, explained that Afghans affected by the data leak were advised to move homes and alter their contact details to protect themselves from the ruling authorities.

MPs are currently examining the UK government's handling of a serious disclosure of confidential data involving nearly 19,000 individuals who had requested to move to Britain to avoid the Taliban.

The Information Breach Was Discovered

A spreadsheet with confidential details, including identities, contact details and in some cases family information, was inadvertently disclosed by a staff member employed at British military command in early 2022.

The breach was discovered in late 2023, when the names of several individuals who had sought to settle in the UK appeared on online platforms.

Taliban Capabilities

It appears there is a misunderstanding that Afghan rulers do not have similar capabilities that allied forces use,” she told lawmakers.

“We left it all behind in Afghanistan; they have it. If they have your phone number, they can trace your precise location. This is exactly how the unit did.”

Under inquiry about regarding if authorities possessed necessary encryption, Person A confirmed: “They possess all resources.”

Consequences of the Information Leak

Initial findings presented to the investigation estimated that at least 49 relatives and co-workers of Afghans affected by the leak had been killed.

A legal restriction regarding the incident was enacted in late 2023 and prevented relevant facts concerning it from public disclosure until July 2025.

Safety Measures

Due to legal constraints, the source and the aid group she was working with advised individuals at risk they were assisting that they had “suspicions that certain devices had been intercepted”.

“We recommended that they relocate where feasible and altered their mobile numbers. These represented the crucial data that, should militant forces obtained this information, would result in them being traced,” Person A explained.

Disputed Conclusions

The source argued that an official review conducted by an ex-government employee had been incorrect to state that the possession of the records by militant forces was “unlikely to substantially change current risk levels”.

“The thing to remember is that these individuals are not confronting militant forces; they live secretly. The primary issue involves their previous employment.”

The source explained disturbing treatment suffered by affected individuals, involving electric shock torture, waterboarding, and severe beatings.

“Instances include young kids who have had bones crushed to try to get households to reveal locations,” the whistleblower revealed.