Data Access Controversy at Social Security Administration
In a significant legal development, a federal judge has once more stopped personnel from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from viewing private information held by the Social Security Administration (SSA). This decision stems from a lawsuit initiated by unions and retirees in Maryland, part of a broader legal challenge questioning DOGE’s data access practices.
U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander, in a detailed memorandum, emphasized the issue isn’t the intention behind DOGE’s actions but rather their methods. She asserted, “To be sure, rooting out possible fraud, waste, and mismanagement in the SSA is in the public interest. But, that does not mean that the government can flout the law to do so.”
Previously, Judge Hollander had granted a temporary restraining order against DOGE, criticizing their approach as “hitting a fly with a sledgehammer.” An appeals court later dismissed the Trump administration’s attempt to overturn this order.
The recent ruling indicates that the administration has not satisfactorily justified the need to grant DOGE staff “unprecedented, unfettered access to virtually SSA’s entire data systems.” Judge Hollander noted the long-standing privacy expectations associated with SSA’s records, stating, “This case exposes a wide fissure in the foundation.”
SSA’s Acting Commissioner Lee Dudek outlined projects necessitating DOGE’s data access, but the judge found his justifications lacking. Consequently, DOGE is now barred from accessing SSA databases containing personally identifiable information (PII) and must delete any non-anonymized data already obtained.
The restrictions are specific to DOGE staff, allowing other SSA employees or DOGE members with privacy training access to anonymized data. NPR has reached out to both DOGE and SSA for comments.
Ongoing Concerns Over Data Access
The Social Security Administration isn’t the only federal agency under scrutiny for DOGE’s data access methods. Court rulings have suggested illegalities in DOGE’s efforts to tap into sensitive government-maintained databases.
Recent reports highlight dubious claims about noncitizen voting pushed by an Elon Musk ally within the SSA, allegedly using improperly accessed data. Additionally, a whistleblower from the National Labor Relations Board reported data removal following DOGE’s system access.
Have information or evidence to share about DOGE’s access to data inside the federal government? Reach out to the author, Stephen Fowler, on Signal at stphnfwlr.25. Please use a nonwork device.
