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A confidential source has told a parliamentary probe that British authorities left behind sensitive devices enabling the Taliban to track down Afghans who worked with international military.

Information Leak Endangers Numerous in Danger

Person A, identified as Person A, stated that people concerned by the information breach were advised to change residences and alter their contact details to avoid detection from the Taliban.

MPs are looking into the UK government's response of a massive leak of personal details concerning approximately 19k Afghans who had requested to relocate to Britain to escape the Taliban.

The Information Breach Was Discovered

A spreadsheet including their personal data, comprising names, contact details and in some cases relative details, was inadvertently disclosed by a worker employed at UK special forces headquarters in February 2022.

The leak was discovered months later, when details of multiple applicants who had requested to relocate to Britain were posted on social media.

Regime's Resources

Many believe there's a false assumption that militant forces do not have the same sort of facilities that allied forces use,” she told MPs.

All equipment was abandoned in Afghanistan; they possess it. Once they acquire a contact number, they can locate your precise location. That is what the unit achieved.”

During testimony about regarding if authorities owned advanced decryption, Person A stated: “They possess all resources.”

Consequences of the Information Leak

Initial findings provided to the inquiry estimated that at least 49 relatives and colleagues of individuals impacted by the breach had been executed.

A legal restriction concerning the breach was put in force in last year and restricted all details regarding the matter from public disclosure until July 2025.

Safety Measures

Given injunction limitations, the whistleblower and the aid group she collaborated with informed individuals at risk they were supporting that they had “suspicions that somebody's phone had been intercepted”.

“We advised that they change residence where feasible and switched their contact details. That constituted the crucial data that, if authorities acquired such data, would result in identification and capture,” Person A explained.

Contested Findings

The source disputed that government assessment conducted by a retired civil servant had been incorrect to state that the acquisition of the information by the Taliban was “not significantly alter current risk levels”.

“The crucial point is that these individuals are in hiding from the Taliban; they are in hiding. The primary issue involves former occupations.”

She detailed disturbing treatment suffered by affected individuals, including electric shock torture, simulated drowning, and physical abuse.

“We have had young kids who have had bones crushed to try to get the family to disclose hiding places,” Person A stated.