DOGE gains sensitive government data access, raises concerns

Staff members of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have gained access to sensitive government data, raising privacy concerns. They reportedly bypassed privacy laws and protocols to access personal and financial information stored in databases, including those held by the Social Security Administration. One DOGE staffer, Akash Bobba, has access to various government databases, but a federal judge recently questioned the need for this level of access. Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander pointed out that the government had not provided a valid reason for allowing DOGE such unrestricted access, which puts millions of Americans' private information at risk. Reports show that agencies rushed to provide DOGE with access without following proper data protection measures. In a recent case, a federal judge also temporarily stopped DOGE from accessing personal data related to union members after finding that sensitive information was shared unnecessarily. Judge Deborah L. Boardman emphasized that agencies must follow the law, regardless of the urgency of DOGE's mission. Concerns have been raised about DOGE's inconsistent management of data access. In a related case, even government lawyers struggled to explain how DOGE members received access to sensitive databases. The situation has prompted alarm from privacy advocates, who worry about the lack of clear purposes for accessing such data. The Privacy Act of 1974 was established to protect personal information, but current practices appear to bypass these safeguards. Critics note that DOGE's operations may endanger citizens' private data. The White House has not responded to questions about DOGE's adherence to privacy laws or citizens' concerns regarding data access. As the government continues to push for data sharing across agencies, privacy experts warn that the lack of transparency and purpose raises serious implications for individuals' sensitive information.