UK May Compensate Afghans After Data Breach

Afghan asylum seekers and former UK allies in Afghanistan, whose personal data was mistakenly leaked by the UK Ministry of Defence, may each receive thousands of pounds in compensation. The breach, which occurred in February 2022, exposed the details of nearly 19,000 Afghans, including those who had worked with British forces and were seeking evacuation after the Taliban’s return to power.

The leak endangered the lives of at least 100,000 individuals, prompting the UK to secretly relocate around 16,000 Afghans to Britain out of fear they could be targeted by the Taliban. While 3,700 primary applicants have been resettled in the UK, others were denied assistance after the government concluded that “mere presence in the data alone was not a reason for targeting.”

Now, hundreds of affected individuals have registered claims for compensation against the Ministry of Defence. Law firms Leigh Day and Barings Law are leading the legal battle, with Leigh Day representing at least 70 clients and Barings Law handling over 1,000 cases. Both firms estimate that claimants could receive thousands of pounds each, with those still in Afghanistan potentially receiving higher amounts than those already relocated to the UK.

The UK Ministry of Defence has stated it will “vigorously defend against any legal action or compensation payments,” though it previously offered up to £4,000 per person to 265 Afghans affected by a smaller data breach in 2021.

Independent advocates and refugee support networks argue that compensation could be crucial for affected families, many of whom are unable to work due to fear of identification. The funds could help cover costs for passports, visas, or internal relocation within Afghanistan.