Data Breach Exposes Identities of British Spies

(MENAFN) A significant data breach compromised the identities of over 100 MI6 agents, British special forces members, and other military personnel, with the incident later being covered up, multiple media outlets reported on Thursday.

The consequences of the extensive leak from the UK Ministry of Defence, which revealed sensitive information related to Afghanistan, remained hidden from the public for several years due to a court-ordered superinjunction.

However, the gag order was lifted by a High Court judge on Tuesday, granting media organizations the ability to report on the issue.

Just days following the lifting of the injunction, various news outlets disclosed that British military and intelligence personnel were among those affected.

A news agency confirmed on Thursday that more than 100 British officials, including MI6 agents and special forces personnel, were listed in the exposed data.

The leak itself occurred when the UK Defense Ministry mistakenly sent an email in February 2022, which included a spreadsheet containing the personal details of almost 19,000 Afghans.

These individuals had collaborated with the British during the lengthy US-led war in Afghanistan and had sought resettlement in the UK to escape potential retaliation by the Taliban.

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