Former GCHQ Intern Admits Reckless Breach of National Security

Hasaan Arshad pleads guilty to unauthorized removal of top secret data and possession of indecent images, with sentencing set for June 2025.

Hasaan Arshad, a 25-year-old former GCHQ intern, pleaded guilty to an offence under the Computer Misuse Act for transferring top secret data to personal devices, risking national security.
The sensitive data included GCHQ employee identities and a critical tool, potentially worth millions, which could have endangered lives if compromised.
Arshad admitted to the breach on the basis of recklessness rather than intent, claiming he acted out of curiosity and did not share the data with others.
During the investigation, officers discovered 40 'category A' and four 'category B' indecent images of children on his phone, to which Arshad also pleaded guilty in 2023.
Sentencing for all charges is scheduled for June 13, 2025, with Arshad currently out on conditional bail under restrictions, including a ban on accessing the dark web.