UK Launches Secret Afghan Relocation Scheme Following Data Breach

Sun Oct 19 2025 19:06:47 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

**UK Launches Secret Afghan Relocation Scheme Following Data Breach**

In response to an inadvertent data leak, the UK government has initiated a covert Afghan resettlement program to safeguard vulnerable individuals.

A dataset containing personal information of nearly 19,000 Afghan applicants was mistakenly released, prompting the creation of a confidential relocation route to aid those at risk after the Taliban's resurgence.

The UK government has established a covert Afghan relocation scheme after the accidental leak of sensitive personal data belonging to thousands of individuals. This dataset, comprising nearly 19,000 names, was inadvertently shared by a British defense official in February 2022. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) became aware of this significant data breach in August 2023, when parts of the information were anonymously posted on social media.

In light of the leak, which revealed sensitive details about potential Taliban targets, officials implemented the confidential Afghan Response Route, initiated in April 2024. So far, approximately 4,500 Afghans have resettled in the UK under this program, with another 600 expected soon. The project has already cost the government around £400 million, with projections indicating an additional £400 million to £450 million will be necessary.

Details around the scheme remained under wraps due to an injunction, which was recently lifted following a High Court ruling. The ruling allowed the release of information about the program after concerns about diminishing free speech arose. Defence Secretary John Healey stated that he had been restricted from discussing the matter during his tenure as shadow defence secretary due to the injunction.

The data breach was attributed to an unnamed individual within the MoD who mistakenly emailed a spreadsheet containing sensitive information outside of government systems. Healey classified the incident as a significant error, though the Metropolitan Police opted not to pursue an investigation.

The leaked data included names and personal information vital to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (Arap), which was set in motion as US forces withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021. The scheme aims to provide refuge to those fearing Taliban reprisals. However, Arap has faced strong criticism over the years, deemed a "disaster" and an act of "betrayal" in a 2022 inquiry.

Judge Mr. Justice Chamberlain expressed concern about the superinjunction's impact on accountability in a democratic framework, noting it had effectively silenced necessary scrutiny. As this situation develops, more information will be made available.