Elon Musk accusing the U.S. government of deleting a terabyte of data to "cover up crimes." However, the court proceedings highlight significant legal and privacy controversies involving Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its access to sensitive government data. Below is a synthesis of relevant updates related to data handling and legal actions:
Key Developments:
1. Court Orders DOGE to Delete Social Security Data
A federal judge ordered Musk’s DOGE team to delete all non-anonymized personal data obtained from Social Security Administration (SSA) systems, calling their access a "fishing expedition" unsupported by evidence of fraud . The ruling criticized DOGE’s "unbridled access" to sensitive records, including medical histories, tax information, and employment records, as a violation of privacy laws .
2. Government Agencies Restricted DOGE’s Access
The SSA and other agencies were instructed to block DOGE from their systems after lawsuits alleged violations of the Privacy Act. Judges ruled that DOGE’s broad access lacked proper justification and safeguards, with one judge comparing their methods to "hitting a fly with a sledgehammer" .
3. Lawsuits Over Data Privacy Breaches
Multiple lawsuits, including one by labor unions and advocacy groups, accuse DOGE of illegally accessing federal databases (e.g., IRS, Treasury, Education Department) and mishandling sensitive data. Plaintiffs argue that DOGE staffers, some with questionable security clearances, accessed systems without proper vetting . For example, a 19-year-old DOGE affiliate with a history of data leaks was granted access to OPM records .
4. DOGE’s Cybersecurity Risks
Reports indicate DOGE staffers used personal email accounts, installed unauthorized software, and fed sensitive data into AI systems, raising concerns about leaks or misuse . Critics warn that such practices could enable identity theft, political targeting, or foreign espionage .
5. Government Pushback and Compliance
The SSA’s acting commissioner initially threatened to shut down all employee access to IT systems to comply with the court order, though he later sought clarification . The Treasury Department limited DOGE to anonymized data after internal disputes .
