UK secretly resettles thousands of Afghans after critical data leak

In the UK, a significant data breach occurred in early 2022 when personal details of nearly 19,000 Afghan applicants for relocation were leaked. These details had been submitted as part of the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy. Accidental release of confidential information put many Afghans, especially those who worked closely with British forces, at risk of Taliban reprisals. Amidst growing concern over the safety of these individuals, the UK government initiated a secret relocation program known as Operation Rubific to resettle thousands of Afghans, ultimately bringing approximately 4,500 individuals and their families to safety. This program operated in the shadow of a superinjunction that restricted press coverage, aiming to shield the operation from public scrutiny and mitigate further risks to the individuals affected by the leak. The superinjunction was lifted in July 2025, allowing the information to be revealed to the public along with newly announced government reviews suggesting that there was little evidence of increased risk to the relocated individuals. While the government has made efforts to ensure safety for some, thousands of others remain vulnerable to tracking and violence by the Taliban, leading to harsh criticisms regarding the efficacy and morality of Britain's response to its allies during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.