London, United Kingdom – Uncertainty is spreading among travelers and diplomats after fresh concerns emerged over a possible security breach in Somalia’s e-visa platform. What began with quiet warnings from the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu has now escalated into a wider alarm, with the United Kingdom cautioning its citizens about a leak that appears to be ongoing and potentially far-reaching.
A day after American officials signaled that credible reports pointed to unidentified hackers slipping into the system, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office revised its travel advisory with a striking level of detail. According to its assessment, the leaked information goes beyond basic identifiers, stretching into the deeply personal — names, photographs, birthplaces, marital status, home addresses, and email contacts of visa applicants. The advisory notes that the breach is still active, warning that any new information entered into the platform may also be exposed.
For many would-be visitors, the warning has introduced a new layer of hesitation. The digital process, once hailed as a modern convenience, now feels uncertain, especially for travelers who must trust the same system that may have already compromised others.
Inside Somalia, the situation remains murky. Government authorities have not confirmed whether the system was hacked at all, nor have they offered clarity on what steps—if any—are being taken to secure the platform. The silence has left room for speculation, fueling concern among citizens and foreign nationals who rely on the service.
The incident comes at a sensitive moment for Somalia, which has been working to strengthen its digital infrastructure and public-facing services. A breach of this scale risks undermining progress, not only by shaking public confidence but also by exposing thousands of people to identity theft, fraud, or other forms of exploitation.
As the investigation continues, travelers now face a difficult choice: proceed with the convenience of an online application or delay plans in the interest of personal security. Until Somali authorities provide clearer answers, that uncertainty is likely to linger.