UK Offers Compensation to Afghans Affected by Data Breaches
📷 Image source: ichef.bbci.co.uk
The UK government has announced a compensation scheme for Afghan nationals whose personal data was exposed in security breaches. The breaches, which occurred during the evacuation efforts in Afghanistan, potentially put individuals at risk of retaliation from the Taliban.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) disclosed that the personal information of several Afghans, including those who had worked with British forces, was inadvertently shared. The affected individuals were part of the UK's relocation schemes, such as the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps acknowledged the severity of the breaches and emphasized the government's commitment to rectifying the situation. 'We deeply regret what happened and are taking steps to support those affected,' he stated. The compensation package is expected to cover financial losses and other damages resulting from the data exposure.
Human rights organizations have welcomed the move but called for greater transparency and accountability in handling sensitive data. The MoD has also pledged to review its data protection protocols to prevent future incidents.
Affected individuals are urged to contact the MoD to verify their eligibility for compensation. The government has assured that the process will be streamlined to ensure timely payouts.
