Displaying items by tag: data breach

Ali, an Afghan interpreter who served with British forces in Helmand Province, has spoken out after learning he was among those affected by a major Ministry of Defence data breach. His role, which involved translating Taliban communications, made him a prime target. Though he was relocated to the UK in 2021 following Taliban threats and a car bomb attack, he now fears for his family, who are still in Afghanistan. His worst fears were confirmed when he learned that his personal information - and potentially that of his family - had been exposed. Ali believes this led to his father’s death after Taliban forces detained and beat him. Multiple requests for his family’s relocation to the UK have been denied. Ali feels utterly betrayed by the government he served. Now he faces the impossible choice of returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan to try to protect his loved ones. His plea is urgent and heartrending: 'If the British government can’t save my family, then I will go back and try myself.' See

All 6.5 million members of the Co-op had their personal data stolen in a major cyberattack in April, the retailer's chief executive Shirine Khoury-Haq has confirmed. While no financial or transaction data were taken, names, addresses, and contact information were accessed. The breach prompted the shutdown of IT systems, disrupting supply chains and payments. Khoury-Haq expressed deep sorrow, especially recalling the distress of IT staff working to repel the attackers. The attack was one of three targeting major UK retailers this spring, alongside Marks & Spencer and Harrods. Four suspects, aged 17 to 20, have been arrested under suspicion of offences including blackmail, money laundering, and cybercrime. Devices were seized from their homes. In response, the Co-op has partnered with The Hacking Games to help young people with cyber skills pursue careers in cybersecurity instead of crime. The breach underscores the growing vulnerability of digital infrastructure and the emotional toll such attacks take on staff and customers alike.

Last week you prayed for the police to have adequate support and protection after their names, rank, grade, location and unit were made available online to the public accidently. This week the chairman of the PSNI Catholic Guild has called for an urgent meeting with Chief Constable Byrne over fears that the breach will put Catholics off joining the force. A number of groups are claiming they have access to the leaked information, prompting greater safety concerns. Many Catholic members of the force have genuine concerns over safety for themselves and in many cases their family members. Mr Murray said, ‘Our guild was formed to provide a support service for Catholic police, and it is hard to think of a more pressing issue for Catholic officers and staff than this data breach’. Pray for ongoing protection for Catholic police and their families. Pray for those in receipt of the leaked data to be prevented from using it.

Two defence ministry blunders in one week have put Afghan lives at risk. The UK said not everyone eligible for relocation could be evacuated before forces left Afghanistan, but the Ministry of Defence (MoD) would help those left behind to leave. The first data breach was an email containing addresses of 250 Afghan interpreters mistakenly copied by the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy team (ARAP) pledging assistance with their relocation to the UK. Some of the addresses showed people’s names and associated profile pictures. The mistake could cost lives. Following that error, officials sent another message 30 minutes later advising the recipients to change their email addresses. The second blunder saw MoD officials mistakenly copy 55 people into an email, making their details visible to all recipients. The defence secretary instigated an investigation into data handling, and one official has been suspended pending an outcome.