UK suspends official for error revealing Afghan interpreter details

A demonstrator holds an Afghan flag during a “Save Afghanistan” protest in Parliament Square, in London, Britain, August 17, 2021. REUTERS FILE PHOTO

LONDON — Britain’s defense ministry said on Wednesday an employee has been suspended over a data breach revealing details of interpreters in Afghanistan seeking relocation to Britain after the Taliban retook control of the country last month.

The defense minister Ben Wallace apologized and launched an investigation on Tuesday after an email sent to more than 250 people seeking relocation mistakenly copied all applicants, so they were visible to other recipients.

“An individual has already been suspended,” the defense ministry said in a tweet. “Steps have already been taken to ensure this does not happen in the future. We apologize to those affected and extra support is being offered to them.”

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