Categories: World

Data leak from UK defence ministry puts lives of Afghan interpreters in danger

<p>
Data pertaining to Afghans who may be eligible to relocate to the UK has come out into the open again due to a blunder in Britain’s Ministry of Defence, potentially endangering the lives of these individuals, according to a BBC report.</p>
<p>
Dozens of people were mistakenly copied in to an email with their email addresses visible to all recipients. Defence officials sent an email that had the email addresses and the names of 55 people which could be seen by everyone who was sent the message, the BBC said.</p>
<p>
This is the second such breach that has taken place in the data pertaining to Afghans who helped the British forces in Afghanistan and now face death at the hands of the Taliban.</p>
<p>
The MoD has apologised and said extra support was being offered to them.</p>
<p>
The recipients – at least one of whom is from the Afghan National Army – were told UK relocation officials had been unable to contact them and they were asked to update their details, the BBC report said.</p>
<p>
An MoD spokeswoman said: "This week, the defence secretary initiated an investigation into data handling within that team. Steps have now been taken to ensure this does not happen in the future."</p>
<p>
The development comes just a day after the defence secretary apologised for a separate breach involving the email addresses of dozens of Afghan interpreters who worked for British forces.</p>
<p>
Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said it had been "an unacceptable level of service" that had let down thousands of members of the armed forces and veterans.</p>
<p>
More than 250 people seeking relocation to the UK – many of whom are in hiding – were mistakenly copied into the email.</p>
<p>
Their email addresses could be seen by all recipients, showing people's names and some associated profile pictures.</p>
<p>
Mr Wallace said an investigation had been launched and one official suspended.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/india-news/desperate-taliban-steps-up-heroin-smuggling-to-raise-cash-116129.html">Desperate Taliban steps up heroin smuggling to raise cash</a></strong></p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

VINBAX 2024: Vietnam-India bilateral army exercise concludes at Kaushalya Dam

The fifth edition of the historic Indo-Vietnam Joint Field Training Exercise, VINBAX-2024, successfully concluded its…

14 hours ago

India-Russia strengthen defence ties at 22nd Working Group meeting on military technical cooperation

The 22nd meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Military technical cooperation and defence industry…

14 hours ago

“I want to have strong representation of India at World Nuclear Exhibition 2025”: Sylvie Bermann

Sylvie Bermann, President of the World Nuclear Exhibition expressed confidence in India's nuclear supply chain…

16 hours ago

PoJK: Joint Awami Action Committee protests against government following new ordinance, many injured

Joint Awami Action Committee core member Shaukat Nawaz Mir has condemned the attack of police…

16 hours ago

PM Modi meets 31 world leaders, heads of organisations during his 3-nation foreign visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 31 Bilateral Meetings and informal interactions with global leaders…

18 hours ago

India- Australia conduct 11th Indian Air Force-Royal Australian Air Force Air Staff Talks

India and Australia conducted the 11th edition of the Indian Air Force and Royal Australian…

18 hours ago