In February 2022, a British soldier’s mistake led to the exposure of a classified dataset containing personal information of approximately 25,000 Afghans who had worked alongside the UK before the Taliban’s resurgence. This data leak posed a grave risk, as it could have exposed these individuals to Taliban reprisals. In response, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) sought and obtained a super-injunction in August 2023, a legal measure that not only prohibited reporting on the breach but also concealed the existence of the injunction itself. This unprecedented ‘contra mundum’ super-injunction, the first of its kind issued by the UK government, remained in place for nearly two years, effectively suppressing media coverage and parliamentary debate on the matter. The MoD’s decision to impose such a stringent legal gag order was intended to provide time to implement protective measures for those affected. However, this approach also deliberately avoided public and opposition oversight, raising questions about the balance between national security and public accountability. By late 2024, only a fraction of those affected had been resettled under a covert programme, and the true costs—estimated to be up to £7 billion—were obfuscated in government reports. The lack of transparency and oversight in handling the crisis became evident when, in May 2024, the presiding judge began to question the need for continued secrecy. This scrutiny intensified after a review by a senior intelligence official concluded that the risk had been overstated. Consequently, the injunction was lifted in July 2025, exposing significant lapses in government transparency and oversight. The revelation of this breach has potential long-term implications for government accountability and press freedom, highlighting the delicate balance between national security concerns and the public’s right to know. The MoD’s actions have sparked a broader debate about the effectiveness and ethical considerations of using super-injunctions to suppress information, especially when it pertains to matters of public interest and human rights. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of transparency and accountability in government actions, particularly when they have profound implications for individuals’ lives and safety. The handling of this data breach underscores the need for robust oversight mechanisms to ensure that national security measures do not come at the expense of fundamental democratic principles.
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