A major data breach in Somalia’s electronic visa system has exposed the personal information of tens of thousands of applicants, including US citizens.
The US Embassy in Somalia has warned that “unidentified hackers” have penetrated the Somali government’s e-visa platform, potentially compromising data from at least 35,000 people.
The leaked documents circulating online include names, photos, dates of birth, marital status, home addresses, and email contacts.
The UK has also warned travelers to consider the risks before applying for an e-visa required for travel to Somalia, stating that the data breach is ongoing and could expose any personal data entered into the system.
The Somali government has shifted its visa service from (link unavailable) to (link unavailable), without providing an official explanation.
The US Embassy has urged individuals who have applied for a Somali e-visa to take precautions, as their data may have been compromised.
The breach has added to tensions between Somalia and Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 and governs itself with its own institutions.
Somaliland has rejected Somalia’s e-visa system, citing safety concerns and warning that people’s data could fall into the hands of extremist groups.
