Afghan ARAP applicant faces risk after UK data leak

The BBC reports a family linked to ARAP could be deported after a UK data leak exposed their relocation details.

Afghan ARAP applicant faces risk after UK data leak

ARAP was created to relocate Afghans who worked with the UK in Afghanistan. Documents seen by the BBC show the family’s details were among almost 19,000 Afghan applicants leaked in February 2022. The family had been in Pakistan since biometrics were recorded in October 2024, waiting for a final decision on relocation when Pakistani authorities moved to detain them. Rayan, the son, describes living in fear while his relatives were taken to a holding camp.

A UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said it would not comment on individual cases but reaffirmed its commitment to relocate eligible people who pass checks. Labour MP Calvin Bailey, who worked with Afghan interpreters, called the situation incredibly upsetting and said the government must do more to protect these families. The story underscores gaps between public assurances of amnesty and the risks people face when data errors reveal sensitive information.

This case shows how data mishandling can put people at risk even as governments promise protection. A program meant to safeguard allies can crumble when records leak and decisions stall. Safeguards must back policy promises, not merely words.

The broader impact includes pressure on ministers to clarify decisions, strengthen data security, and ensure timely protection for those who helped abroad. It also raises ethical questions about how the state balances security with its duty of care to vulnerable families and how oversight could prevent repeats of such leaks.

Highlights

Protection should move faster than fear, especially for those who trusted a promise of safety.