PRESS RELEASE: 24 October 2025
Afghans affected by MoD data breach report devastating impact
Afghans whose data was leaked by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) say they have received death threats and family members as well as colleagues in Afghanistan have been killed, threatened and harassed as a result of the breach, according to evidence submitted to the Defence Select Committee inquiry by Refugee Legal Support, in consultation with Professor Victoria Canning (Lancaster University) and Professor Sara de Jong (University of York).**
Two thirds of respondents (n.231 of 350) said they received notification from the MoD that their data had been leaked. Of these:
- 87% (n.200) reported personal risks and/or threats to family members as a result of the data breach
- 9% (n.21) reported a family member had been killed as a result of the data breach
- 12% (n.28) reported a colleague had been killed as a result of the data breach
- 43% (n.99) reported a direct threat to their life
- 52% (n.121) reported family or friends in Afghanistan have been threatened by the Taliban
A former member of Triple Special Forces said: “… our home has been searched multiple times. My father was brutally beaten to the point that his toenails were forcibly removed, and my parents remain under constant and serious threat. My family and I continue to face intimidation, repeated house searches, and ongoing danger to our safety”.
The delay in the communication to Afghans affected by the data breach had a detrimental effect on the ability to take safety measures, according to several respondents.
A former Afghan National Army member currently residing in Afghanistan said: “The delay between the discovery of the data breach in 2023 and the communication in July 2025 is deeply concerning and unacceptable. Waiting almost two years to inform individuals that their personal data was compromised has put many lives at risk unnecessarily. Immediate notification could have allowed us to take protective measures much earlier. This delay shows a serious lack of urgency and responsibility from the Ministry of Defence, especially considering the sensitive nature of our backgrounds and the high-risk environment we live in.”
Refugee Legal Support’s Executive Director Olivia Clark said: “This research lays bare the devastating human consequences of the MoD data breach. By centring Afghan voices and documenting their experiences, it fills a critical gap in understanding the real-world impact of the breach.
“Afghans who served alongside UK forces have reported renewed threats, violent assaults, and even the killing of family members after their personal details were exposed.
“Only a minority of those affected by the data breach have been offered relocation to the UK. The UK Government must invite all affected Afghans to put forward evidence of the risks following the breach of their and their families’ data, and review the negative decisions of their cases.”
The survey’s open-ended responses indicated that the security advice was considered overly general and inappropriate for the local context of Afghanistan and failed to provide any concrete support for those at risk.
Afghans in Afghanistan and the UK reported the profound impact on their mental health of the data leak (89%).
Notes to editor
The evidence can be viewed in full at: https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/149931/html/
** This survey (in English/Dari/Pashto) was conducted by the charity Refugee Legal Support in consultation with Professor Canning (Lancaster University) and Professor de Jong (University of York) and disseminated by various Afghan resettlement stakeholders between 23 Sept – 5 Oct 2025. Participation in the survey was voluntary and open to anyone over the age of 18 and affected by the Afghan data breach. The survey did not ask for personal information and all responses have been anonymised.
The survey received 350 valid responses. Of the total number of respondents, 155 respondents are currently based in the UK, 152 in Afghanistan and 33 in third countries outside Europe; 10 were in European countries or ticked ‘prefer not to say’.
About Refugee Legal Support
Refugee Legal Support is a UK charity working in solidarity with people who migrate. We promote and protect their rights through legal support, casework, engagement, training and partnerships. We advocate for safe migration and oppose discriminatory immigration systems and policies.
