Following an inadvertent data breach revealing the personal details of nearly 19,000 Afghan applicants aiming to relocate to the UK after the Taliban's return to power, the UK government has launched a secret Afghan relocation scheme. The initiative, costing around £400 million, has so far welcomed 4,500 Afghans while raising serious concerns about data privacy and governmental accountability.
UK Government Launches Secret Afghan Relocation Program Following Data Breach

UK Government Launches Secret Afghan Relocation Program Following Data Breach
A recent data leak forced the UK government to implement a covert relocation initiative for Afghan refugees after personal information of thousands was exposed.
The UK government has initiated a clandestine relocation scheme for Afghans after a significant data breach that exposed personal details of nearly 19,000 individuals who sought refuge in the UK post-Taliban takeover. The dataset, which was inadvertently leaked by a British defense official in February 2022, became public knowledge when parts of it were disclosed on Facebook in August 2023.
In response, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) implemented the Afghan Response Route, facilitating the arrival of 4,500 Afghans in the UK. An additional 600 individuals and their families are expected to be processed, with the overall cost of this initiative estimated between £400 million to £450 million. The details of this covert scheme, initiated in April 2024, were previously kept confidential due to a superinjunction, which was recently lifted by a High Court ruling.
Defence Secretary John Healey provided an insight into the breach, describing it as a "serious departmental error". He noted that the data leak resulted from a spreadsheet being sent outside of authorized government systems, exacerbating concerns regarding the security of applicants, many of whom are believed to be at risk of Taliban persecution. Despite the gravity of the breach, the Metropolitan Police have decided against pursuing a criminal investigation.
The disclosed dataset included the names, personal information, and some family details of individuals applying for the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap), established as US troops completed their withdrawal in August 2021. Arap has faced substantial scrutiny over its handling of evacuees, with a 2022 inquiry labeling its execution a "disaster".
With the unsealing of the superinjunction, Justice Chamberlain remarked on the critical need for accountability in democratic processes, highlighting that the previous restrictions hampered public scrutiny and oversight.
As this developing situation unfolds, new information will continue to emerge, and updates will be provided as they become available.