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An informant has revealed a parliamentary probe that British authorities failed to secure classified equipment enabling the militant group to track down local individuals who collaborated with allied troops.

Data Breach Endangers Thousands at Risk

Person A, known as Person A, testified that Afghans affected by the data leak were instructed to change residences and switch their mobile numbers to ensure their safety from the Taliban.

Members of Parliament are investigating the UK government's response of a catastrophic breach of confidential data affecting approximately 19k individuals who had applied to relocate to Britain to avoid the regime.

The Information Breach Was Discovered

A data file with their personal data, including identities, phone numbers and occasionally household data, was mistakenly released by a worker stationed at British military command in early 2022.

The leak came to light in late 2023, when identities of nine people who had applied to relocate to the UK were posted on social media.

Taliban Capabilities

It appears there is a false assumption that the Taliban lack comparable resources that western nations possess,” Person A informed lawmakers.

All equipment was abandoned in Afghanistan; they have it. If they have your phone number, they can locate you down to within metres. This is exactly how the unit accomplished.”

When questioned about whether the Taliban had access to necessary encryption, the source stated: “They possess all resources.”

Impact of the Security Lapse

Initial findings presented to the committee estimated that at least 49 family members and colleagues of Afghans affected by the incident had been murdered.

A superinjunction concerning the breach was enacted in last year and restricted any information concerning it from public disclosure until July 2025.

Security Recommendations

Because she was restricted, the whistleblower and the aid group associated with advised Afghan families they were assisting that they had “suspicions that somebody's phone had been breached”.

“We advised that they change residence where feasible and switched their phone numbers. These represented the primary information that, should militant forces obtained such data, would result in them being traced,” the source testified.

Disputed Conclusions

The source contested that an official review performed by an ex-government employee had been incorrect to state that the possession of the information by the Taliban was “minimally impact current risk levels”.

“The crucial point is that these individuals are in hiding from the Taliban; they remain concealed. All concerns relate to past work history.”

She detailed disturbing abuse suffered by concerned people, including electrocution, simulated drowning, and physical abuse.

“We have had young kids who have had their arms broken to try to get the family to reveal locations,” she testified.