UK Data Watchdog Defends Afghan Leak Inaction Citing Security Constraints

UK Data Watchdog Defends Afghan Leak Inaction Citing Securit - Regulator Cites Security Constraints in Decision The Informa

Regulator Cites Security Constraints in Decision

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has defended its choice not to investigate a significant data breach at the Ministry of Defence that compromised the safety of thousands of Afghans linked to British forces. According to reports, the accidental leak occurred in February 2022 and potentially exposed over 33,000 individuals to Taliban reprisals.

Hidden Data Leads to Massive Exposure

The breach involved a spreadsheet containing 33,345 entries with names and contact details of applicants to the Afghan resettlement scheme. Information Commissioner John Edwards told MPs that the official responsible had “a legitimate need to share a limited amount of information” but accidentally disclosed hidden cells containing additional sensitive data. The National Audit Office report indicates the breach likely cost more than £850 million.

Classification Hampered Documentation

Edwards explained that the ICO’s initial decision-making process was complicated by security classifications. “During those sessions – because of the classification – no notes could be taken,” he stated, noting that formal documentation only occurred after a government superinjunction was lifted in July 2024. The commissioner denied the superinjunction prevented an investigation but acknowledged information systems “make it quite difficult to store classified material.”, according to industry reports

Resource Challenges and Priorities

The Information Commissioner revealed his office faced resource constraints in handling classified incidents, citing insufficient vetted staff. He emphasized that the decision against formal investigation “was not a decision to do nothing,” but rather reflected the ICO’s assessment that probing might “actually get in the way” of the MoD’s urgent response to protect affected individuals., according to recent innovations

Previous Incident Context

Analysts suggest the ICO’s approach may have been influenced by its recent experience with a separate Afghan data incident. In September 2021, the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy unit exposed email recipients by failing to use BCC, resulting in a £350,000 fine after investigation concluded in late 2023.

Systemic Improvements Promised

Following the superinjunction’s lifting, the ICO reportedly wrote to the Cabinet Office stating that joint efforts to improve public sector data protection were “not working well enough.” Edwards indicated plans to raise standards by year’s end through committees involving DSIT and the Cabinet Office, though committee chair Dame Chi Onwurah expressed disappointment at ministers’ absence from related hearings.

References & Further Reading

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