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The Discord leaks -

In 2023, the US Justice Department started investigating a major leak of classified Pentagon documents on the social platform Discord. Over 50 crumpled documents were posted online, including "top secret" ones. The leaked papers contained sensitive information about US espionage on various countries and intelligence regarding the Ukraine conflict.

According to CNN, the disclosed information has revealed "Ukrainian weaponry, air defense, and battalion sizes and readiness at a critical point in the war". This comes at a critical stage in the war, impacting Ukraine's military strategies. A source close to President Zelensky stated that they have already adjusted some of their military tactics in response to the leak. Furthermore, the exposed documents also shed light on the US's infiltration of the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary organization. The implications of this disclosure could have far-reaching consequences.

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The Discord leaks -

On April 13, 2023, a 21-year-old Massachusetts Air National Guard member named Jack Teixeira was arrested "without incident" at a residence in North Dighton, Massachusetts. The arrest was made due to his alleged connection to the leaks. Authorities found numerous weapons at Teixeira's home, along with evidence of his previous violent online statements. The public has expressed surprise over the fact that a young employee with such concerning history was given a high level of clearance, raising questions about the screening process.

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An Al-Qaeda dossier was left in a train by a British civil servant -

In 2008, the BBC stated that an employee of the Cabinet Office had left behind two reports on a train. These reports contained highly classified intelligence regarding Al-Qaeda.

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An Al-Qaeda dossier was left in a train by a British civil servant -

The reports included analysis conducted by the Joint Intelligence Committee. One report focused on Iraq's security forces, while the other, titled "Al-Qaeda Vulnerabilities," was a top-secret document commissioned by the Foreign Office and the Home Office.

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An Al-Qaeda dossier was left in a train by a British civil servant -

The last document was labeled as "confidential for the UK/US/Canadian and Australian governments." It was rumored to hold valuable intelligence against Britain's adversaries.

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Australian confidential information sold in cabinets -

In January 2018, the Australian Broadcast Corporation disclosed that the Australian government discovered top-secret files in two filing cabinets sold by a secondhand store in Canberra.

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Australian confidential information sold in cabinets -

After being secured with padlocks, the new proprietor successfully opened them with a drill, unveiling numerous documents containing firsthand records of the governments led by Howard, Rudd, Gillard, and Abbott.

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Australian confidential information sold in cabinets -

Most of the documents were classified as "top secret" and revealed significant information. One example was the consideration by Tony Abbott's government to restrict unemployment benefits for individuals under 30.

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Millions of US voters at risk -

In 2015, Reuters announced that personal information of approximately 191 million US voters had been publicly released. This breach disclosed the particulars of about 79% of individuals entitled to vote.

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Millions of US voters exposed -

The leaked information consisted of names, addresses, birthdates, party affiliations, phone numbers, and emails. This data could have been exploited by fraudsters seeking potential targets.

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Millions of US voters exposed -

However, the source behind the creation and disclosure of the extensive database remains unidentified, given its tremendous magnitude.

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Nuclear secrets inadvertently leaked by American military personnel -

In 2021, news emerged that American military personnel stationed in Europe inadvertently exposed classified nuclear information through study apps like Chegg, Quizlet, and Cram.

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US soldiers unintentionally disclosed classified nuclear information -

The soldiers utilized these apps to engage in flashcard activities, aiding their comprehension and recollection of the rigorous and intricate security protocols.

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US soldiers unintentionally disclosed classified nuclear information -

Previous leaks have revealed the existence of US nuclear weapons in Europe, but the recent 2021 leaks also unveiled their precise numbers and locations.

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More than 1,000 UK government laptops were misplaced or taken -

In March 2008, it was disclosed that more than 1,000 laptops had been lost in different departments of the British government, just a few months before the top-secret Al-Qaeda documents were accidentally left on a London train.

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More than 1,000 UK government laptops were misplaced or taken -

The Ministry of Defense, a crucial department for national security, experienced a loss of 503 laptops and 23 personal computers from 1998 to 2008. Additional laptops were also lost by the Department of Health, Ministry of Justice, and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.

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More than 1,000 UK government laptops were misplaced or taken -

The exact number of lost and stolen items remains unknown. In March 2000, a memorable incident took place involving an inebriated MI6 agent who lost a laptop while visiting a bar in London. Thankfully, the laptop was recovered after two weeks.

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The US government disclosed a private nuclear spots list -

A 266-page report about the nation's nuclear program was published by the Government Printing Office five months into Barack Obama's presidency.

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The secret list of US nuclear sites is made public -

The report contained maps that show the precise spots where fuel was utilized to deploy nuclear weapons. Most pages of the report were labeled as "Highly Confidential Safeguards Sensitive."

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The US government disclosed a private nuclear spots list -

The report examined the nuclear weapons labs in Los Alamos, Livermore, and Sandia, alongside the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

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UK government releases classified nuclear submarine information -

In 2011, The Guardian reported that the Ministry of Defense (MOD) had made public classified information regarding the UK's nuclear fleet on its website.

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UK government releases classified nuclear submarine information -

The provided information contained a thorough assessment regarding the fleet's capacity to endure a significant mishap, indicating that the current reactors were potentially at risk. Additionally, the disclosure highlighted the preventive actions implemented by the US Navy to safeguard its fleet.

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UK government releases classified nuclear submarine information -

The MOD had redacted a larger document, but the compromising info could still be uncovered by copying and pasting it elsewhere. Oops!

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Trello exposed UK government's counter-terrorism tools -

Trello is a tool that enables teams to organize and cooperate on tasks through boards. Usually, these boards are kept private, but in 2018, the British government mistakenly utilized the public setting.

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Trello exposed UK government's counter-terrorism tools -

Using the public domain, numerous private government files were discoverable through a basic Google search. The exposed data encompassed anti-terrorism records as well as instructional materials on government building entry permits.

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UK government accidentally released counter-terrorism tools on Trello -

The personal details of senior government officials and agents were unintentionally disclosed, including contact information and scheduled appointments.

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A highly classified weapons dossier is accessed by a journalist -

Journalist Curtis Waltman submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the Washington State Fusion Center (WSFC) and obtained records pertaining to enigmatic weapons.

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A highly classified weapons dossier is accessed by a journalist -

Waltman contacted WSFC to inquire about conflicts involving Antifa and the far right, instead of experimental weaponry. WSFC provided him with a zip file titled "EM effects on human body.zip," containing intricate diagrams illustrating the apparent impacts caused by these enigmatic weapons.

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A highly classified weapons dossier is accessed by a journalist -

The weapons allegedly cause muscle tremors, overall body pain, insomnia, and unusual psychological effects. The WSFC refrained from disclosing additional details, leading to speculation that the document was mistakenly sent.

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Leaked protocols detail Queen Elizabeth's funeral procedures -

In 2021, leaked documents revealed plans for the aftermath of Queen Elizabeth's death. Although not a matter of national security, the information caused a media frenzy.

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Leaked protocols detail Queen Elizabeth's funeral procedures -

Known as "Operation London Bridge," the announcement of her demise would initially occur through phone calls to the prime minister, the cabinet secretary, and other senior officials. Subsequently, the royal household would inform the British public through an official statement.

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Leaked protocols detail Queen Elizabeth's anticipated demise -

The passing of Queen Elizabeth was known as D-Day and was followed by a nine-day period of procedures and protocols. The funeral service for the monarch was scheduled to take place at Westminster Abbey, with a nationwide two-minute silence observed at noon. Approximately one year later, on September 8, Operation London Bridge was initiated to mark her passing at the age of 96.

Sources: (Grunge) (Reuters) (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

See also: Military secrets the US government doesn't want you to know

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