The United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense apologized after a data breach compromised the security of the email addresses of 250 Afghan interpreters, many of whom are still hiding within the country.
Likely the result of human error, the names and contact details of hundreds of Afghan allies looking to move to the U.K. were copied into an email, according to the BBC. Some of the interpreters accidentally replied to the entire group before the ministry sent a follow-up email 30 minutes later explaining the mistake and urging the recipients to change their email addresses.
“It is an unacceptable level of service that has let down the thousands of members of the armed forces and veterans,” said Defense Secretary Ben Wallace, who announced one person was suspended. “On behalf of the Ministry of Defence, I apologise.”
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The opposing Labour Party’s shadow defense secretary John Healey said that the breach “needlessly put lives at risk” and that the ministry needs to do everything in its power to get the U.K.’s allies out safely.
The breach puts the location and contact information of many of the interpreters at risk of getting into Taliban hands.
“This mistake could cost the life of interpreters, especially for those who are still in Afghanistan,” one interpreter who received the email told the BBC. “Some of the interpreters didn’t notice the mistake, and they replied to all the emails already and they explained their situation, which is very dangerous. The email contains their profile pictures and contact details.”
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The security of Afghan interpreters who remain in the nation has been in doubt since the Taliban’s Aug. 15 takeover of Kabul. Though Taliban leaders vowed “amnesty” for all Afghans, reports indicate dissidents have been killed at protests in recent weeks.
Hundreds of U.S. citizens and allies were left behind after President Joe Biden withdrew remaining U.S. forces from Afghanistan ahead of his Aug. 31 deadline. The United States estimated on Sept. 1 that a majority of Afghan interpreters and those who applied for visas were left behind, though exact figures weren’t readily available.
