A data breach in Somalia’s electronic visa system may have compromised the personal information of at least 35,000 applicants, including U.S. citizens, according to a recent warning from the American embassy in Somalia. The embassy noted credible reports of unauthorized access by unidentified hackers to the Somali government’s e-visa platform, raising concerns about the potential exposure of sensitive data.
The leaked information reportedly includes personal details such as names, photographs, dates of birth, marital status, home addresses, and email contacts. The U.S. embassy warned travelers about the ongoing nature of the breach, suggesting that any personal data submitted through the system could be at risk. In light of this, the embassy advised individuals to consider the risks associated with applying for an e-visa for travel to Somalia.
While Somali authorities have not publicly addressed the breach, they have changed their visa service platform from evisa.gov.so to etas.gov.so without providing an explanation. The U.S. embassy stated that it could not confirm whether an individual’s data was part of the breach but noted that those who had applied for a Somali e-visa might be affected.
The new visa system requires all travelers, including those from Somaliland and Puntland, to apply online. However, some travelers have reported additional fees in certain regions, resulting in increased costs. Somaliland, which self-governs but is not recognized internationally, continues to assert its claim over its airspace against Somalia’s claims of sovereignty.
The situation escalated when Somaliland’s President stated that the region would not accept Somalia’s e-visa and demanded airlines secure permission from Hargeisa before flying into its airspace. This has resulted in some travelers being stranded at airports, lacking the required e-visa. Somaliland officials indicated that the directives regarding the e-visa system were enforced as of November 10, while the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority maintains legal control over all airspace in the region and has warned of potential legal consequences for noncompliance.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c620e43z2q5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss