UK to Pay £1.6 Million in Compensation to 277 Afghans After 2021 Data Leak

Kokche News Agency reports that the UK government is set to compensate 277 Afghan citizens for a data leak that occurred in September 2021 during the chaotic evacuation from Afghanistan. The breach, involving the Ministry of Defence’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP), mistakenly released sensitive personal information of individuals who had assisted the UK.

Nearly 300 people’s data was compromised, including email addresses of 265 individuals, with some profiles containing photos and geographic locations. The breach was labeled “serious” by the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which also warned that the incident could have put lives at risk. In December 2023, the MoD was fined £350,000—reduced from an initial £1 million—after a review of the breach.

UK Defense Minister Luke Pollard apologized publicly, assured swift compensation payments, and committed to reforming data management procedures and staff training to prevent future leaks. The total payout is estimated around £1.6 million, aiming to acknowledge the distress and potential danger caused to those affected.

Critics and legal advocates argue, however, that the compensation may not fully account for the ongoing trauma and danger faced by many of the affected individuals, some of whom remain in vulnerable situations. The incident underscores the continued risks faced by Afghan allies left behind after the Western withdrawal and highlights a moral responsibility for the UK to protect those who supported its mission.