Federal Judge Limits Access to Social Security Data by Elon Musk's DOGE
A federal judge has imposed new restrictions on DOGE's access to Social Security data, citing privacy violations and security risks.
Summary
U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander has issued a preliminary injunction restricting Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing personal data in the Social Security Administration (SSA). This decision follows concerns raised by unions and retirees over potential privacy violations and security risks. Hollander criticized DOGE's need for 'unfettered access' to sensitive data, stating that while the aim to combat fraud is commendable, it should not compromise the foundational principle of privacy in SSA records. The injunction allows access only to anonymized data under strict conditions.