Unforeseen data breach impacting candidates for Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and Afghanistan Locally Employed Staff Ex-Gratia initiatives
In February 2022, a data loss incident occurred involving personal details of some applicants to the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme and the Afghanistan Locally Employed Staff Ex-Gratia scheme (EGS). Approximately 18,700 applicants whose applications were made on or before 7 January 2022 were affected.
The UK government has taken steps to address this issue and provide support to those potentially affected. If you fall into this category, it is essential to be vigilant and careful if an unknown person contacts you. Do not reply to emails or texts claiming to be from the UK Ministry of Defence, especially if they contain links or attachments. Legitimate communication will come from email addresses ending in '@MOD.gov.uk'.
To help you understand this information, an automated telephone service is available by calling 0800 021 4110. However, there is a risk that calls made to the phone line may be monitored if you are in Afghanistan.
The Afghanistan Response Route (ARR), established in April 2024, was designed to support those who had not previously been found eligible for ARAP but were judged to be potentially at the highest risk of reprisals by the Taliban as a result of the data incident. The ARR has now closed.
Related information, including letters from Defence Afghan Relocation and Resettlement (DARR), updates from the UK Ministry of Defence, the Independent Policy Review conducted by Paul Rimmer, and The Afghanistan Response Route (ARR), can be found on the official government websites. Translations of this information are available in Dari and Pashto.
It is crucial to monitor your online accounts for any unauthorized access or changes in settings. Where possible, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). If you suspect any suspicious activity on your social media accounts, consider shutting them down. Limit who can see your profiles and do not accept friend/follow requests from individuals you do not know and trust.
The UK government acknowledges the data breach and apologises for any inconvenience or distress caused. It is essential to note that any contact about compensation related to the data incident is a scam. There is no fee attached to your ARAP or EGS application, offers made under the ARR, or relocation through the ARP.
If you need help understanding this information or have trouble following the instructions, you can use the automated telephone service by calling 0800 021 4110. If you are outside the UK, do not travel to a third country without a valid passport and visa. The UK Government cannot support you in a third country unless you have already received an invitation to resettle and it has been confirmed that you have access to support.
Lastly, be wary of telling others that your personal data may be vulnerable. Informing others who are unconnected to the loss may draw attention to the fact that your personal data may be exploitable.
Read also:
- Lu Shiow-yen's Challenging Position as Chair of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Under Scrutiny in Donovan's Analysis
- Enemy Forces Have Taken Ukrainian Prisoner
- BJP Persuaded Delhi Voters That Supporting AAP Was Pointless, According to Pavan K. Varma
- Potential Democratic Contenders for Presidency in 2028 Yet to Exclude Themselves from Race
