🔗 Share this article US and UK Warn of Major Digital Visa Data Breach in Somalia Government Residence Roughly 35,000 applicants could be affected, alerts the United States embassy A major security compromise in Somalia's electronic visa system potentially disclosed personal information pertaining to many thousands of individuals, including US citizens, the United States diplomatic mission in Somalia has alerted. Officials stated gathered trustworthy accounts that "anonymous digital intruders" had penetrated the Somali government's e-visa platform, potentially compromising details concerning at least 35,000 applicants. The compromised files circulating online contain names, photos, birth dates, relationship status, home addresses and email contacts, according to a United States official announcement published on recently. "This data breach remains active and could expose any sensitive details submitted to the system," the UK has similarly alerted travellers. "Evaluate the dangers when considering application for a digital visa necessary for visiting the Somali nation." Administrative Action Government officials have not issued statements on the breach. Nevertheless the government has shifted visa processing from evisa.gov.so to etas.gov.so, without issuing a formal statement. "Although American diplomatic mission in Somalia cannot verify whether applicant details belongs to the breach, travelers who have requested visas for a Somali e-visa might be compromised," the US' statement declared. Territorial Consequences Somalia's new system requires all travellers, including those from the self-declared republic of the breakaway region and the self-governing territory of Puntland, to seek admission permits via electronic platforms. Critics say applicants have experienced supplementary costs in particular territories, amounting to double charges. Political Context Somaliland, that announced sovereignty in 1991, manages its territory with its own institutions but has not been global recognition. Somalia maintains that the region remains part of its sovereign territory. The reported compromise contributes to ongoing disputes involving central government and Somaliland administration over control of aviation space. While Somalia regained full control of its airspace in the past decade, Hargeisa administration persistently challenges this agreement. Current Developments The conflict intensified this week as Somaliland's President Abdirahman Irro announced the breakaway region would not accept Mogadishu's electronic visa and directed that carriers are required to secure clearance from northern authorities when approaching their territorial skies. However prominent aviation companies have declined to board passengers lacking Somalia's e-visa approval. In the latest development, Hargeisa's international relations official the diplomatic representative again insisted that "anyone travelling to the northern territory should receive travel authorization on arrival", stating the federal electronic visa platform posed risks and alerting that "personal information can fall into the hands of extremist groups" due to using it. Travel Disruptions The conflict has left certain visitors heading to Somaliland stranded at airports due to rejection at check-in due to absence of the federal electronic visa. The northern region's aviation official, Fu'aad Ahmed Nuux, has told media outlets that the regulations - first announced earlier this year - became operational on 10 November. He said companies that ignore will be told to change course, and claimed multiple planes were previously redirected. Jurisdictional Battle Video evidence distributed by Hargeisa's civil aviation authority appears to show territorial flight directors issuing instructions to foreign aircraft commanders - a move hailed internally as a confirmation of northern self-governance. But the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority maintains it possesses exclusive regulatory authority concerning the federal aviation control area (Flight Information Region), that includes the entire country's aviation space. It has ordered every plane to ignore any guidance provided by sources besides federal authorities. Officials cautioned that failing to comply with national and worldwide air transport standards could generate safety risks and cause "major judicial outcomes".