The breach originated from the registration systems of the Abu Dhabi Finance Forum, an annual event that attracts top-tier political figures, central bankers and billionaire investors.
The leaked database reportedly contains sensitive information including passport numbers, private contact details, travel itineraries and accommodation arrangements.
Security experts warn that the exposure of such granular data creates significant personal security risks and makes these individuals prime targets for sophisticated phishing attacks or espionage.
Lord Cameron is among the most prominent names identified in the cache of files. Other figures identified in the leak include former heads of state from Europe and the Middle East, as well as several high-ranking executives from major Wall Street banks.
The scale of the exposure suggests a fundamental failure in the summit’s data protection protocols, which were managed by a third-party technology provider.
The Abu Dhabi government has launched an immediate investigation into the incident. Early forensics suggest the data was exfiltrated several weeks ago and had been circulating on encrypted messaging platforms and dark web forums before being flagged by researchers.
This incident arrives at a time of heightened sensitivity regarding digital sovereignty in the Gulf region. As Abu Dhabi positions itself as a global hub for finance and AI technology, the vulnerability of its premier diplomatic platforms faces intense scrutiny.
Cybersecurity analysts suggest this breach may lead to a permanent shift in how personal data is handled for high-level diplomatic travel, with calls for international standards on data privacy for global summits.