US and UK Warn Travelers After Major Breach in Somalia's E-Visa System
Personal information of tens of thousands believed exposed after breach in Somali government's e-visa platform.
The US and UK have issued warnings to travelers following a major data breach in Somalia’s electronic visa system.
Personal information from at least 35,000 applicants is believed to have been compromised, including names, photographs, dates of birth, marital status, home addresses, and email contacts.
The US Embassy in Mogadishu stated that credible reports indicate unidentified hackers had penetrated the Somali government's e-visa platform.
The UK government has cautioned travelers about the ongoing breach, urging them to consider potential risks before applying for an e-visa required for travel to Somalia.
Somali authorities have not made any public comments regarding the issue; however, they have quietly shifted their visa service from the original evisa.gov.so site to a new platform without explanation.
This incident has exacerbated existing tensions between Mogadishu and Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 but remains unrecognized internationally.
Under the new system, all travelers, including those heading to Somaliland and the semi-autonomous Puntland region, must apply for visas online.
Critics argue that this requirement leads to double-charging in some areas, further inflaming disputes over fees, airspace control, and sovereignty.
The tensions escalated when President Abdirahman Irro of Somaliland rejected Somalia's e-visa outright and ordered airlines to seek clearance from Hargeisa before entering local airspace.
Somaliland's foreign minister has raised concerns about the safety of the system, warning that personal data could fall into the hands of extremist groups.
Mogadishu's Civil Aviation Authority maintains sole legal authority over the Mogadishu Flight Information Region and has ordered aircraft to ignore any instructions issued by Somaliland.
Both sides have accused each other of creating security risks, resulting in several passengers bound for Somaliland being left stranded as airlines refuse boarding without Somalia's e-visa approval.
Somaliland officials claim new directives took effect on November 10 and assert that some aircraft have already been rerouted.
Footage released by its aviation ministry shows local air-traffic controllers issuing instructions to international pilots, a move hailed domestically as an act of autonomy.
The BBC has sought comment from Somali aviation officials but maintains that any deviation from Mogadishu's authority could carry serious safety and legal consequences.
Personal information from at least 35,000 applicants is believed to have been compromised, including names, photographs, dates of birth, marital status, home addresses, and email contacts.
The US Embassy in Mogadishu stated that credible reports indicate unidentified hackers had penetrated the Somali government's e-visa platform.
The UK government has cautioned travelers about the ongoing breach, urging them to consider potential risks before applying for an e-visa required for travel to Somalia.
Somali authorities have not made any public comments regarding the issue; however, they have quietly shifted their visa service from the original evisa.gov.so site to a new platform without explanation.
This incident has exacerbated existing tensions between Mogadishu and Somaliland, which declared independence in 1991 but remains unrecognized internationally.
Under the new system, all travelers, including those heading to Somaliland and the semi-autonomous Puntland region, must apply for visas online.
Critics argue that this requirement leads to double-charging in some areas, further inflaming disputes over fees, airspace control, and sovereignty.
The tensions escalated when President Abdirahman Irro of Somaliland rejected Somalia's e-visa outright and ordered airlines to seek clearance from Hargeisa before entering local airspace.
Somaliland's foreign minister has raised concerns about the safety of the system, warning that personal data could fall into the hands of extremist groups.
Mogadishu's Civil Aviation Authority maintains sole legal authority over the Mogadishu Flight Information Region and has ordered aircraft to ignore any instructions issued by Somaliland.
Both sides have accused each other of creating security risks, resulting in several passengers bound for Somaliland being left stranded as airlines refuse boarding without Somalia's e-visa approval.
Somaliland officials claim new directives took effect on November 10 and assert that some aircraft have already been rerouted.
Footage released by its aviation ministry shows local air-traffic controllers issuing instructions to international pilots, a move hailed domestically as an act of autonomy.
The BBC has sought comment from Somali aviation officials but maintains that any deviation from Mogadishu's authority could carry serious safety and legal consequences.
