Multiple thousands of Afghan citizens face repercussions due to a second data leak, according to government officials.
A second data breach has potentially affected up to 3,700 Afghans who were relocated to the UK between January and March 2024. This incident, linked to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), exposed names and passport details, according to recent reports.
The breach is part of a broader issue where nearly 100,000 Afghans' data was previously leaked by the Ministry of Defence, putting many lives at risk, as court hearings in 2024 revealed.
The third-party supplier involved in this incident is DEAC, which agreed in a March 2024 meeting with the MoD to offer access to the relocation scheme for the highest-risk group. A policy to relocate high-risk individuals among those affected was introduced, but a court ruled in April 2024 that the policy was irrational.
Inflite - The Jet Centre, the third-party supplier, confirmed a "data security incident" involving "unauthorized access to a limited number of company emails." They have been actively working with the relevant UK cyber authorities, including the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre, to support their investigation and response.
The MoD has offered a "sincere apology" for the first data breach, which occurred on a third-party supplier named Inflite - The Jet Centre. The previous Conservative government set up a secret scheme in 2023 to relocate Afghan nationals affected by the data breach, but not eligible for an existing program.
Those affected by the data breach were informed on Friday afternoon by the Ministry of Defence. The flights involved in the data breach were used to bring Afghans to the UK, travel for routine military exercises, official engagements, and to transport British troops and government officials.
Despite the potential risks, the government spokesperson mentioned that they are going above and beyond their legal duties in informing all potentially affected individuals, and that the incident did not pose any threat to individuals' safety or compromise any government systems.
This is the second time information about Afghan nationals relocated to the UK has been compromised. Earlier this year, it emerged that almost 7,000 Afghan nationals would have to be relocated to the UK following a massive data breach by the British military. Former Tory ministers are among those affected by the hack.
As the investigation continues, it is crucial for all parties involved to ensure the protection of sensitive data and the safety of those affected by these breaches.
- The ongoing issue of sensitive data leaks in relation to relocated Afghans raises concerns about the intersection of war, politics, and cybersecurity, particularly in light of the latest breach involving technology company Inflite - The Jet Centre.
- In the midst of increasing cybersecurity threats, the recent data breach that affected up to 3,700 Afghans not only underscores the importance of technology and general-news reporting but also highlights the vulnerability of crucial relocation and political processes.
