Study reveals 49 relatives and colleagues of Afghans killed following MoD data breach

A new study submitted to the Defence Committee has revealed the devastating consequences of the 2022 personal data breach by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which exposed the identities of 18,700 Afghans applying for relocation to the UK. The study, conducted by Refugee Legal Support and academics from Lancaster and York Universities, found that 49 family members or colleagues of the 231 notified Afghan respondents had been killed as a result of the data breach.

The research into 350 affected people reported that 87% of notified respondents received threats against themselves or their families, while 43% reported a direct death threat. A further 52% said that the Taliban had threatened family or friends in Afghanistan. Refugee Legal Support called on the UK government to urgently ensure their safety, accelerate relocation applications, and provide redress. 

Additional reporting by the Independent.

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